Abstract: A method for closed-loop control of the surface temperature of a glow plug. A heating current flowing through the glow plug and a voltage applied to the glow plug are measured, and a calculation rule is used, which assigns a value of the surface temperature to a value pair formed of a value of the heating current and a value of the voltage. The calculation rule takes into account the influence of a changing temperature of a feed line of the heating resistor on the relationship between the heating current measured at a given voltage and the surface temperature of the glow plug. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the surface temperature of a glow plug, in which a factor of the control algorithm is calculated by using a correction term, which takes into account the heat dissipation from a glow tip to cooler parts of the glow plug.

Abstract: What is described is a fuel vaporizer comprising a housing which comprises an inlet opening with an internal thread, an inlet tube which is seated in the inlet opening. According to this disclosure, it is provided that the inlet tube comprises an undercut head and the inlet tube protrudes through a bushing the inside diameter of which is smaller than the outside diameter of the head, wherein the bushing comprises an external thread with which it is screwed into the inlet opening of the housing. What is additionally described is a kit for the production of a fuel vaporizer.

Abstract: A method for controlling the surface temperature of a glow plug. A heating current flowing through the glow plug and a voltage applied to the glow plug are measured, a temperature-dependent control variable is calculated from measured values of the heating current and the voltage using a first calculation rule, a target value of the control variable is calculated from a target temperature using a second calculation rule, the control variable is compared with the target value and, to minimize any deviation, the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation is changed in accordance with this deviation. A value other than electrical resistance dependent on current and voltage is used as the control variable. The calculation rule in accordance with which this variable is calculated from measured values of current and voltage is provided to carry out the method and is established in each case for a series of glow plugs.

Abstract: A method for setting adjusting frequency of an electric oscillating circuit of a corona ignition device. The circuit is excited with a starting value (f1) of the excitation frequency and a reference value (IR) of a frequency-dependent variable is measured. The excitation frequency is incrementally changed. After every increment a value (I) of the frequency-dependent variable is measured and it is determined whether the measured value (I) deviates significantly from the reference value (IR). Depending upon the measured value (I) relative to the reference value, the value (f) of the excitation frequency is either set as the new starting value (f1) or stored as a boundary value. Further incremental changes to the excitation frequency are made in one of two directions and further comparisons of the values I and IR are performed. Ultimately, the excitation frequency can be set to a mean value between first and second boundary values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glow plug control device comprising a power transistor for switching the heating current on and off, a control unit for controlling the power transistor, a measuring resistor connected in series with the power transistor for measuring the intensity of a heating current, and a circuit board, which carries the power transistor, the control unit and the measuring resistor. The measuring resistor is connected to the circuit board via pins which are pressed into circuit board holes and which are made of an alloy that has a copper content of at least 80% by weight and a nickel content from 4 to 12% by weight. This disclosure also relates to the use of an alloy having a copper content of at least 80% by weight and a nickel content from 4 to 12% by weight for a pin of a press-in connection in a glow plug control device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heating rod comprising a tube housing, at least one ceramic heating element, which is arranged in the tube housing, a first contact plate, which in the tube housing bears against the heating element or the heating elements, and an insulating frame, which surrounds the longitudinal edges of the first contact plate. In accordance with this disclosure, a second contact plate is provided, which carries a second insulating frame, wherein the at least one heating element is arranged between the two contact plates and the two frames are plugged into one another.

Abstract: A method for controlling the surface temperature of any glow plug in an internal combustion engine. A glow plug control device carries out an initialization at the installed and connected glow plug to adapt the temperature model to the behavior of the connected glow plug before the engine is started. Upon initialization, the glow plug is acted on by at least two different voltages and the resistances of the glow plug with these voltages are measured. A resistance gradient is calculated therefrom and the temperature model is adapted to the behavior of the connected glow plug. During the control process during operation of the engine, the momentary surface temperature of the glow plug is estimated by a model temperature, which is established using the temperature model. The effective voltage acting on the glow plug is changed in accordance with the deviation of the model temperature from a target temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the combustion chamber of a cyclically operating combustion engine in which an air-fuel-mixture is ignited by means of a corona discharge generated by an electrical oscillating circuit in which an ignition electrode, which is electrically isolated from the combustion chamber walls, and the combustion chamber walls form a capacitor, wherein by evaluating an electrical parameter of the oscillating circuit information about the combustion chamber is gained. The voltage exciting the oscillating circuit is reduced after the beginning of the combustion and the oscillating circuit is then excited with a reduced voltage.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a glow plug connector for a sensor glow plug, comprising a housing made of plastic, a plurality of contact elements made of metal, which form contact surfaces bearing against a circumferential wall of the housing, wherein the contact elements protrude on the glow-plug side from a base of the housing. The contact surfaces are embodied as segments of a circle that protrude from a strip-shaped section of the contact elements. This disclosure also relates to a connector for a cylinder pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glow plug for a diesel engine, said glow plug comprising a ceramic glow pencil, which has a heating portion, and a housing, from which the glow pencil protrudes, wherein the glow pencil has a ceramic inner conductor, an insulation layer surrounding the inner conductor, and a ceramic outer conductor layer arranged on the insulation layer. In accordance with this disclosure, the outer conductor layer in the heating portion only partially covers the insulation layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the start of combustion in a cyclically operating internal combustion engine in which a fuel/air mixture is ignited by means of a corona discharge, wherein, to generate the corona discharge, an electrical resonant circuit is excited, in which an ignition electrode that is electrically insulated with respect to combustion chamber walls constitutes a capacitor together with the combustion chamber walls, and, to identify the start of combustion, an electrical variable of the resonant circuit is evaluated. The position of an extremum is evaluated, the extremum occurring in the course of the electrical variable after ignition of the corona discharge and before extinguishment thereof, or the course of the electrical variable is compared with a reference course, wherein a threshold value is predefined and fuel combustion is concluded on the basis of a deviation by more than the threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure in a combustion chamber of an engine, comprising a housing, a tappet, which is movable in the housing in an axial direction under the action of combustion chamber pressure, a sensor for detecting an axial displacement of the tappet, and a force transmitter, in order to transmit a force loading the tappet to the sensor. In accordance with the invention, the force transmitter has at least one damping section for damping flexural vibrations, at which its flexural rigidity is reduced.