Abstract: The invention related to a method for low loss periodic control of a capacitive load (CP), in particular of a piezoelectric actuator. In this method, before load control begins, a capacitor bank (C1) is charged via a voltage source (UB) until the oprating voltage of load (CP) is attained; then the load (CP) is charged from the capacitor bank (C1) via a series resonant circuit formed by a reactance coil (L1), a freewheeling diode (DE), and by the load (CP). In this method, when a load is required, the load (CP) is linked via discharge switch (SE) to the reactance soil (L1) which is itself connected via a freewheeling freewheeling diode (DL) to the capacitor bank (C1) in such a way that the load (CP) is discharged until a residual voltage (UR).

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a cylinder block; a plurality of cylinders arranged in line in the cylinder block; a piston accommodated for reciprocating motion in the respective cylinders; a crankshaft received in the cylinder block; a connecting rod coupling each piston with the crankshaft; and a plurality of eccentric rings surrounding and supporting the crankshaft. Each eccentric ring is rotatable about a common ring axis radially spaced from the crankshaft axis. Further, ring-supporting bearing housings are accommodated in the cylinder block for supporting the eccentric rings. A ring-turning assembly adjusts in unison the angular position of the eccentric rings to radially shift the crankshaft, whereby the upper dead center position of the pistons is altered for varying the compression ratio thereof.

Abstract: A method of affecting the mixture formation and motion of a charge in an engine cylinder during a suction cycle of a gas intake valve of the cylinder. The suction cycle has a first cycle portion and a subsequent, second cycle portion. The method includes the following steps: introducing air and fuel into the cylinder during the suction cycle; maintaining, during the first cycle portion, the gas intake valve in a first open position at full valve stroke in which the gas intake valve has a fully open cross-sectional flow passage area; and maintaining, during the second cycle portion, the intake valve in a second open position at a partial stroke of the gas intake valve. The partial stroke is less than one half of the full stroke; and in the second open position the gas intake valve has a partially open cross-sectional flow passage area.

Abstract: An apparatus for a zero-point stabilization of an exhaust gas sensor installed in an apparatus for a thermal energy conversion of gaseous fuel while producing an exhaust gas stream, includes an arrangement for alternatingly exposing the exhaust gas sensor to a flow of exhaust gas and a flow of fresh air.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine with an electromagnetic actuator for moving the cylinder valve into opposite open and closed valve end positions. The electromagnetic actuator has two spaced electromagnets provided with pole faces and being energizable with a controllable current flow, an armature operatively connected to the cylinder valve and arranged between the two electromagnets for a reciprocating motion therebetween into opposite armature end positions at the electromagnets in response to electromagnetic fields generated by the electromagnets for moving the cylinder valve into end positions thereof and return springs coupled to the armature and opposing, by a spring force, the displacements of the armature in response to the electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: A method of affecting a mixture formation and motion of a charge in a cylinder of an externally ignited internal-combustion engine during a suction cycle of a gas intake valve of the cylinder. The suction cycle has a first cycle portion and a second cycle portion; the second cycle portion constitutes an end portion (leading and/or trailing end portion) of the suction cycle. The gas intake valve has, during the first suction cycle, a first open position at full valve stroke in which the gas intake valve has a fully open cross-sectional flow passage area. The method includes the step of maintaining the gas intake valve in a second open position at a partial stroke of the gas intake valve during the second cycle portion. The partial stroke is less than one half of the full stroke, and in the second open position the gas intake valve has a partially open cross-sectional flow passage area.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet composed of a yoke provided with a pole face and a solenoid which is carried by the yoke and which is energizable with electric current for generating electromagnetic forces. An armature coupled to a setting member is movable into engagement with and away from the pole face of the yoke. A resetting spring is connected to the armature for opposing movements of the armature toward the pole face. The yoke and/or the armature is at least in part elastically deformable toward the armature and the yoke, respectively.

Abstract: A method of regulating an electromagnetic actuator is disclosed. The electromagnetic actuator has an electromagnet; an armature movable, in a switching step, by a controlled current supply to said magnet coil, from a first armature position to a second, pole face-engaging armature position against a force of a resetting spring. The method includes the following steps for regulating the current flow through the magnet coil to set a low velocity of the armature as it arrives at the pole face: during the switching step, detecting the energy amount in the electromagnetic actuator by detecting a changing armature position and/or a changing armature velocity; estimating by extrapolation the expected energy amount upon arrival of the armature on the pole face; and forming a coarse correcting value by comparing the estimation to be extrapolated with a predetermined target value selected with an aid of the total energy stored in the system in the second armature position.

Abstract: Motion recognition processes are disclosed, in particular for regulating the impact speed of an armature on an electromagnetic actuator with at least one electromagnet having at least one pole face (4) and connected to a controllable power supply, and with an armature (5) connected to a regulating element to be actuated which when power is supplied to the electromagnet, is moved against the force of a restoring spring (7) in the direction of the pole face of the electromagnet from a first switching position to a second switching position in which it stops against the pole face. At least one sensor (11) detects in a defined air gap zone of the pole face a progressive attenuation of the magnetic field as the armature approaches and generates a corresponding signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet having a pole face, an energized state for generating an electromagnetic force and a de-energized state; and an armature movable towards and away from the pole face in a travel path extending from a first end position remote from the pole face to a second end position at the pole face. The armature assumes the second end position in the energized state of the electromagnet. A return spring urges the armature away from the pole face and toward the first end position. Further, a fluid damping unit is provided for braking a motion of the armature along a terminal portion of its travel path shortly before its arrival into at least one of the end positions for effecting a soft arrival of the armature into such end position.

Abstract: A fluid controlled switching unit includes a valve block; a guide bore provided in the valve block; first and second work chambers provided in the valve block and spaced from one another; first and second cylinder bores provided in the valve body; and a plunger rod guided in the guide bore for reciprocating motion therein along a displacement path. The plunger rod has first and second piston faces situated in the first and second work chambers, respectively, and exposed to fluid pressure prevailing therein. The first and second piston faces move in the first and second cylinder bores, respectively. A valve body is attached to the plunger rod for forming a unitary structure therewith. The valve body has opposite pressure faces as well as first and second opposite end positions determining opposite ends of the displacement path. The valve body, when situated in one of the end positions, is exposed solely unilaterally to fluid pressure at one of the pressure faces thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling armature movement in an electromagnetic circuit includes the steps of providing two spaced, facing electromagnets and an armature movable between the two electromagnets along a motion path; alternatingly energizing the two electromagnets for causing a reciprocating motion of the armature; detecting the actual moments of passage of the armature during each motion from one electromagnet to the other at least at two consecutive locations along the motion path; comparing signals representing the actual moments of passage with signals representing desired moments of passage of the armature at the two locations; and dependent upon deviations determined in the signal-comparing step, controlling the moment of de-energizing the momentarily releasing electromagnet and controlling the moment of energizing the momentarily catching electromagnet.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for operating a setting member includes an electromagnet which has a housing provided with a recess having an opening; a yoke body having a surface constituting a pole face of the electromagnet; and a solenoid surrounding the yoke body. The yoke body and the solenoid are accommodated in the housing recess. An armature, to which the setting member is coupled, is guided for motions towards and away from the pole face in a space adjoining the electromagnet. The opening of the housing recess faces the space. A resetting spring exerts a force opposing a motion of the armature towards the pole face.

Abstract: A combination of a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine with an electromagnetic assembly for operating the valve. The electromagnetic assembly includes an electromagnetic actuator having first and second electromagnets supported in a spaced relationship with respect to one another, an armature movable between the first and second electromagnets and connected to the valve for moving it between open and closed positions. The electromagnetic assembly further includes a first control device for energizing the electromagnets to cause a motion of the valve by electromagnetic forces generated by the first and second electromagnets; and first and second pressurizable resetting gas springs operatively coupled to the armature to oppose motions thereof caused by the electromagnetic forces generated by the first and second electromagnets, respectively. A pressure supply device supplies pressure to the first and second resetting gas springs.

Abstract: A method for controlling the current supply to an electromagnetic valve for operating a cylinder (gas exchange) valve (6 and 7) in a piston-type internal combustion engine, wherein the interior cylinder pressure is detected at least for determining the time "valve opens", and the detected pressure is supplied to the engine control device (14) as a measuring signal. Thereafter the respective actual time of switching off the retaining current at the retaining electromagnet (9, 10), on the one hand, and switching on the capturing current at the capturing electromagnet (9, 10) on the other hand, are corrected as a function of the detected interior cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal component which is made up of at least two partial elements with differing material properties is distinguished in that a first partial element made of a steel material, which can be tempered, is preassembled in a recess in a second partial element made of a magnetic iron material of low retentivity. A copper based solder is applied to the preassembled component at the recess in the transition area between the first partial element and the second partial element. Thereafter, the component is heated to a temperature which lies above the melting temperature of the solder. After the liquid solder has been distributed in a contact area of the two partial elements, the component is cooled. The component is then brought at least once to the tempering temperature of the steel material of the first partial element, is maintained at this temperature for a predetermined length of time and then is completely cooled.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet having a yoke and an operating coil supported by the yoke and connectable to a controllable current supply for effecting a current flow through said operating coil. An armature is movable from a first position remote from the pole face of the electromagnet to a second, pole face-engaging position in response to a first electromagnetic force generated by a current flow through the operating coil. A resetting spring is coupled to the armature and opposes the first electromagnetic force. Further, a circuit is provided which is formed of a braking coil supported by the yoke and a switching element having open and closed states. The circuit is closed in the closed state of the switching element and is in the open state of the switching element.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for operating a setting member includes an actuator body undergoing a dimensional change upon applying electrical energy thereto; a preliminary pressure chamber for accommodating liquid; a diaphragm sealing the preliminary pressure chamber and being displaceable by the actuator body; a valve member carried by the diaphragm; a transfer chamber for accommodating liquid; and a displaceable plate body disposed in the preliminary pressure chamber and sealingly bounding the transfer chamber. The diaphragm, as it is moved by the actuator body, displaces the plate body. A displaceable piston body sealingly bounds the transfer chamber and has a surface which is smaller than the surface of the plate body, whereby the plate body--with the intermediary of the liquid--displaces the piston body to a greater extent than the displacement of the plate body. The piston body, as it moves, displaces the setting member.

Abstract: A device for actuating valves of a reciprocating engine, such as a reciprocating internal combustion engine, includes a lever arrangement having a cam lever and having an adjustment device for adjusting an idle stroke in relation to the valves; a control shaft on which the cam lever is positioned and which can be turned back and forth relative to the lever arrangement so that the adjustment device is actuated; at least one camshaft each having a respective cam which acts upon the lever arrangement to actuate at least one valve, wherein the cam lever is positioned pivotally on the control shaft, in contact with at least one cam on one side thereof, and in contact with the at least one valve to be actuated on another side thereof, wherein the control shaft has a pressure medium channel for supplying a fluid medium defined therein, wherein the control shaft has a cross bore defined therein in communication with the pressure medium channel, and wherein the adjustment device is an hydraulic adjustment device inclu

Abstract: A method of operating an electromagnetic actuator for actuating a setting member wherein the actuator includes at least one electromagnet supplied with current by a control device, and an armature that is operatively connected with the setting member to be actuated and which can be brought out of a first set position, counter to a force of a restoring spring, into a second set position, in which the armature is in contact with the pole face of the electromagnet, when the electromagnet is supplied with current. The change in the setting force of the restoring spring is detected, at least during part of the armature motion, and the respective position of the armature and/or its moving speed is or are derived from this. The derived value is used to check and/or influence the actuation of the electromagnet.