Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust-gas sensor in which it is determined whether at least one monitored event has occurred by evaluating at least one heat quantity supplied to and/or withdrawn from the exhaust-gas sensor during a period of time, in particular under consideration of a change in the heat quantity stored by the exhaust-gas sensor that occurs during the period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device, in particular a control and evaluation unit, for operating at least one exhaust gas sensor for monitoring the functionality of an emission control system in the exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust gas sensor is operated at least intermittently at high temperatures and has a thermal shock sensitivity inherent to the design, and in which a heating phase can be implemented at least intermittently prior to a regeneration phase or prior to a measuring operation phase, wherein a clearly lower temperature is set in this heating phase in comparison to the regeneration temperature or the measuring operation temperature. According to the invention, the function for dew point recognition and re-release of a dew point end is adaptively implemented and influenced by at least one water detection criterion or at least one flood detection criterion.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the function of an exhaust gas sensor in an exhaust gas. The function is evaluated here according to whether during a heating phase an operating temperature of the exhaust gas sensor has been reached for a predefined time period. It is taken into account here whether during the heating phase sufficient heating power has been available to carry out a successful heating phase.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an exhaust-gas sensor in which it is determined whether at least one monitored event has occurred by evaluating at least one heat quantity supplied to and/or withdrawn from the exhaust-gas sensor during a period of time, in particular under consideration of a change in the heat quantity stored by the exhaust-gas sensor that occurs during the period of time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device, in particular a control and evaluation unit, for recognizing a water passage or a high water level for a vehicle, which has, as a drive, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust train, in which the functionality of an emission control system is monitored or controlled by at least one exhaust sensor and the exhaust sensor is operated at least intermittently at high temperatures and has thermal shock susceptibility by design. According to the invention, a water recognition criterion is determined based on one or a plurality of distance sensors and, at critical values of the water level which are predicted or have already been reached, protective measures are initiated for the emissions control system of the vehicle or for the exhaust sensor or exhaust sensors arranged in the exhaust duct. Damage to exhaust sensors or to components of the emissions control system as a result of the severe cooling upon contact with water can thus be minimized.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device, in particular a control and evaluation unit, for operating at least one exhaust gas sensor for monitoring the functionality of an emission control system in the exhaust tract of an internal combustion engine, wherein the exhaust gas sensor is operated at least intermittently at high temperatures and has a thermal shock sensitivity inherent to the design, and in which a heating phase can be implemented at least intermittently prior to a regeneration phase or prior to a measuring operation phase, wherein a clearly lower temperature is set in this heating phase in comparison to the regeneration temperature or the measuring operation temperature. According to the invention, the function for dew point recognition and re-release of a dew point end is adaptively implemented and influenced by at least one water detection criterion or at least one flood detection criterion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device, in particular a control and evaluation unit, for recognizing a water passage or a high water level for a vehicle, which has, as a drive, an internal combustion engine having an exhaust train, in which the functionality of an emission control system is monitored or controlled by at least one exhaust sensor and the exhaust sensor is operated at least intermittently at high temperatures and has thermal shock susceptibility by design. According to the invention, a water recognition criterion is determined based on one or a plurality of distance sensors and, at critical values of the water level which are predicted or have already been reached, protective measures are initiated for the emissions control system of the vehicle or in for the exhaust sensor or exhaust sensors arranged in the exhaust duct. Damage to exhaust sensors or to components of the emissions control system as a result of the severe cooling upon contact with water can thus be minimized.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particle sensor, which comprises a ceramic base body, in the exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle, wherein a particle loading of the particle sensor is determined by applying an electrical voltage between at least two electrodes with interdigital arrangement, a temperature of the particle sensor is determined with a temperature sensor mounted to the ceramic base body or from the electrical resistance of a heating element and said particle sensor is regenerated by means of heating with the electrical heating element.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing the function of an exhaust gas sensor in an exhaust gas. The function is evaluated here according to whether during a heating phase an operating temperature of the exhaust gas sensor has been reached for a predefined time period. It is taken into account here whether during the heating phase sufficient heating power has been available to carry out a successful heating phase.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particle sensor, which comprises a ceramic base body, in the exhaust gas duct of an internal combustion engine for driving a motor vehicle, wherein a particle loading of the particle sensor is determined by applying an electrical voltage between at least two electrodes with interdigital arrangement, a temperature of the particle sensor is determined with a temperature sensor mounted to the ceramic base body or from the electrical resistance of a heating element and said particle sensor is regenerated by means of heating with the electrical heating element.

Abstract: A method for operating a particle sensor (10). The particle sensor (10) has at least two inter-digital electrodes (12, 13) which engage one in the other and to which a sensor voltage U(IDE) (21) is applied in order to determine loading of the particle sensor (10) with soot particles (16). A sensor current I(IDE) (31) across the electrodes (12, 13) is measured and evaluated. In order to remove the loading with soot, a heating element (14) heats the particle sensor (10) in a regeneration phase. The method characterized in that the sensor current I(IDE) (31) is determined, and a shunt diagnosis of the particle sensor (10) is carried out in accordance with the measured sensor current I(IDE) (31).

Abstract: A method for operating a particle sensor (10). The particle sensor (10) has at least two inter-digital electrodes (12, 13) which engage one in the other and to which a sensor voltage U(IDE) (21) is applied in order to determine loading of the particle sensor (10) with soot particles (16). A sensor current I(IDE) (31) across the electrodes (12, 13) is measured and evaluated. In order to remove the loading with soot, a heating element (14) heats the particle sensor (10) in a regeneration phase. The method characterized in that the sensor current I(IDE) (31) is determined, and a shunt diagnosis of the particle sensor (10) is carried out in accordance with the measured sensor current I(IDE) (31).