Abstract: A rotary vacuum pump is proposed, having a rotor with vanes which rotates eccentrically within a housing bore. Each vane is coupled with a body which is ineffective at relatively low pump rpm; however, at higher rpm, the body engages the vane in such a manner that it removes the vane from its track within the housing bore.In this manner, an rpm-dependent shutoff device is created for the pump. In cooperation with the furnishing of underpressure as an auxiliary pressure in motor vehicles, the pump is used to supplement the underpressure which prevails when the internal combustion engine is at low, idling rpm; this prevailing underpressure is at a very low pressure level, and so when it is thus supplemented there is sufficient auxiliary vacuum force available over the entire rpm range.

Abstract: An apparatus is proposed for controlling the exhaust recirculation rate in an internal combustion engine, in particular an engine with auto-ignition, which includes preferably one mixture valve in the area of the discharge opening of the exhaust recirculation line and which is characterized in that the control is accomplished via the mixture valve position ahead of the inlet valves in accordance with the concentration of at least one component of the air-exhaust gas mixture and/or at least one component of the exhaust gas. Thus it is possible to operate the engine with a relatively emission-free exhaust. An exhaust gas reservoir is further provided, with which peaks in the exhaust gas concentration due to a dynamic driving mode can be intercepted. Finally, it is also proposed that the exhaust recirculation be realized solely via a pressure, which can be controlled in open-loop or closed-loop fashion, in the exhaust line by means of a valve.

Abstract: To permit individual evaluation of the combustion processes in the respective cylinders (1a-d) of an internal combustion (IC) engine (2), individual optical pick-ups (3a-d; 4a-d) are coupled to the respective cylinders, the output signals either in optical or electrical form are conducted to separate pick-ups for individual evaluation or, alternatively, the output signals are combined and then again separated out by a steering circuit. Individual evaluation can be accomplished by locating light guide fibers from the sensors in a predetermined position with respect to opto-electrical transducers; by forming scanning windows, for example by a rotating disk (19, 20) rotating n in synchronism with the engine and permitting passage of light from the respective fibers of the light guides to respective pick-ups; or by combining the light outputs from the respective sensors (4) either optically by intermixing light guide fibers in a common cable (6'), or electrically in an equivalent OR-circuit (FIG. 8: R.sub.

Abstract: To permit cleaning of the window of a combustion process sensor, a light pick-up element (12) is located in a housing holder (11) which is formed with a terminal flange (11b), seated against an extended flange (6) of a window structure (5) fitted in an opening (3) with a seating step (4) in the cylinder block of an internal combustion (IC) engine. A nut, or clamping plate, or similar attachment element holds the flanges of the window and of the housing against the abutment surface (4) in the cylinder block. To clean or replace the window (5), it is only necessary to disassemble the housing from the bore and thereby permit removal of the window therefrom, without requiring replacement of the light sensitive pick-up or components thereof as well.

Abstract: A fuel supply system for mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally-supplied ignition is proposed, which serves to form the most optimal possible fuel-air mixture. The fuel supply system includes a primary mixture formation unit disposed in the intake manifold and at least one ultrasonic atomizer nozzle in the intake manifold, for the purpose of correcting the fuel-air mixture by means of supplementary fuel, downstream of the primary mixture unit or in each individual intake tube. The ultrasonic atomizer nozzles are triggered, with the interposition of an electronic control device, in accordance with operating characteristics of the engine, as well as the exhaust composition, and they permit the supply of finely prepared supplementary fuel for the purpose of regulating the fuel-air mixture to a predetermined .lambda. value; of compensating for non-uniform distribution, and of enrichment of the mixture in the case of warm-up, full load and acceleration, as well as of idling regulation.

Abstract: To provide for improved cleaning of an optical combustion sensor, particularly to determine knocking in an internal combustion (IC) engine, a pick-up element made of glass, glass-coated or covered metal or the like, and, for example, hollow inside and filled with a vaporizable and condensable medium to define a heat pipe, has a sensing end portion which is formed with a mushroom-shaped enlarged head (14). The unit may be combined with the functions of a spark plug by extending a conductor therethrough, making the pick-up of electrically conductive glass or ceramic, placing a metal foil or other conductor at the outside, separated from the metallic housing by an insulating sleeve or the like.

Abstract: To determine proper operation of a combustion sensor, and to normalize the output signals derived from a pick-up having a window exposed to the combustion chamber (10) by compensating for soiling, contamination, and loss of transmissivity of the window due to combustion residue, soot, or the like, a reference light source is provided introducing reference light of a predetermined level to the pick-up, for example when no light is generated due to combustoin events. In an internal combustion (IC) engine, the reference light can be energized during stopped condition of the engine, or during portions of the stroke of the engine when no combustion event takes place.

Abstract: An ignition chamber device is described which has an elongated, rotationally symmetrical form. The wall of the ignition chamber which protrudes into the main combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine has a coaxial overflow conduit embodied by a nozzle and radially extending discharge conduits which extend into the annular chamber which surrounds the nozzle. The ignition chamber is provided with an ignition device which has a central electrode that leads from the outside into the interior and by means of this central electrode the ignition voltage is carried via a conductor path, disposed in the wall, to a wall location opposite the nozzle, from where the ignition spark can leap the gap. A heat pipe is disposed in the nozzle and includes a portion arranged in close proximity to the cylinder wall, which prevents the ignition chamber from becoming overheated and on the other hand also enables the inflowing mixture to be heated up in optimal fashion on the way to the ignition location.

Abstract: The sensor arrangement to determine oscillations arising upon knocking of a combustion engine uses at least one optical receiver, known per se, in the combustion chamber, preferably a glass rod 12 or a light guide cable of glass fibers 20. The optical receivers are either integrated in the spark plug, or connected to a pre-chamber, or inserted in the cylinder head seal.

Abstract: To render output of a polarographic sensor essentially independent of aging of electrodes and temperature effects of the solid electrolyte body, within the operating ranges of the sensor to measure the oxygen composition of exhaust gases, the solid electrolyte plate of, for example, 50 mm length, 8 mm width and 1 mm thickness has a sensing electrode system including a cathode (2), and an anode (3) applied thereto, connected to a voltage source (7) of controllable output voltage. An oxygen molecule diffusion barrier (6) is applied to the cathode electrode. Additionally, a further electrode pair (5,4) is applied to the solid electrolyte body (1), serially connected in the current limiting circuit including the control voltage source.

Abstract: To guide gas to the electrode of a high temperature sensor, a substrate (1), for example of ceramic or ceramic-coated metal has electrodes (3, 4; 7, 8; 16, 17) applied thereto, for example in meander pattern, spaced from each other. A heater is applied to the substrate, either on the same side (FIGS. 2, 3) or on the backside (FIG. 1). Gas is guided to the electrodes by projecting ridges and posts (11, 12) to thereby prevent fouling of the electrodes by gas; the ridges and posts, additionally, can be protected by a cover (18) FIG. 3, thereover. The spacing 13 between the ridges and posts, and the cover, if provided, is so arranged that resonance chambers are formed which are resonant at the expected frequencies of, for example, engine knocking or unusual combustion conditions.

Abstract: A sliding vane compressor for use in refrigeration systems includes a rotatable hollow shaft, a cylindrical compressor rotor which surrounds the shaft, end covers enclosing the compressor rotor and a pair of vanes disposed within the rotor to compress a working medium entering the rotor. The compressor rotor and end covers have end faces in a contact area therebetween. At at least one of end faces of either rotor or end cover, a number of spirally-shaped grooves are formed curved in the direction of rotation of the rotor shaft. These grooves extend from the periphery of the respective end face toward the center thereof but short of said center to produce a flow preventing leakage of the working medium between the low pressure region and the high pressure region in the compressor.

Abstract: A method is proposed for regulating the combustion of operating mixtures in the combustion chambers of internal combustion engines. The course of the light intensity of the light resulting from combustion in the combustion chamber is detected and evaluated over the course of combustion; reference control variables derived therefrom are formed for use by subsequently disposed closed-loop control devices of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for the removal of solid components from the exhaust gas of internal combustion engines, in particular for the removal of soot components from the exhaust gases of self-igniting combustion engines. Under the influence of electrostatic fields, the solid components are diverted and carried to a fresh-air current flowing toward the intake side of the engine. This recirculation of the solid components may be effected either by means of the recirculation of a partial flow of the exhaust gas which has been enriched with solid components, in which case the solid components are deflected into this partial flow in an electrostatic field, or these solid components may be guided into the fresh-air current aspirated by the engine, in this case with the cooperation of a mechanical transport means and electrostatic bonding forces.

Abstract: For detecting oscillations occurring during knocking detonations in an internal combustion engine, optical detectors are located in the combustion chamber. In order to minimize the contamination of the window of the sensor system on the side of the combustion chamber, the surface of the window is provided with contours defining points and/or edges. In order to receive the largest amount of light, the window is so formed as to bulge into the combustion chamber and may be coated with a contamination-resistant layer.

Abstract: A sensor (10) optically coupled to the combustion chamber (10') of an internal combustion (IC) engine is kept free from contaminating or dirt deposits, or the like, by subjecting the sensor to mechanical shocks or vibration. The mechanical shocks or vibration are obtained by the engine itself by controlling the engine to operate for a predetermined time period as set by a monostable flip-flop (FF) (18) under controlled knocking conditions, the shock waves within the combustion chamber causing flaking off or dropping off of contaminating deposits. Controlled knocking can be obtained by advancing ignition timing by additional control of an ignition system (19) in a direction of excessive spark advance, or overriding a knocking inhibiting system already present on the engine.

Abstract: To detect detonations in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, the sensor system is constructed as a unit that may be threadedly engaged with the combustion chamber wall, the unit including an antechamber in the region near the combustion chamber and a detector being disposed at the base of the antechamber. The sensor system further may be equipped with a heater for burning off contaminations. In a further embodiment, at least one filter disc is disposed in front of the detector, so that a selective processing of the received optical signals is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is proposed for obtaining a control variable for the closed-loop control of the fuel-air ratio of the operating mixture of internal combustion engines, in which a threshold-current sensor of known structure is used. By means of varying the measurement voltage present at the threshold-current sensor by voltage amounts which correspond to a change in oxygen concentration to be expected in association with a change in operational state, the time behavior of the threshold-current sensor, which is essentially sluggish, is compensated for and it becomes possible to use it for rapidly-functioning closed-loop control systems in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: To improve operation and output voltage, particularly at 400.degree. C. and less, an oxygen sensor, especially adapted to determine oxygen content of automotive exhaust gases, is constructed by utilizing two electrodes applied on a body of stabilized zirconium dioxide, for example a closed tube, by making an electrode exposed to the exhaust gases in form of a mixture of finely dispersed ceramic material and a platinum-rhodium alloy, the ceramic material being present at about 40% (by volume) and 60% (by volume) platinum-rhodium alloy of 50-94% platinum and 50-6% rhodium (by weight). The second electrode, exposed to a reference gas comprises an alloy of palladium and another noble metal in a ratio of about 19-90% (by weight) Pd and 81-10% (by weight) noble metal. This electrode may also contain up to 40% (by volume) finely dispersed ceramic material. The electrode exposed to the exhaust gases is covered with a porous coating.

Abstract: To permit a layer construction, which is inexpensive and lends itself to mass production manufacture, a solid electrolyte body, in plate-like construction, with electrodes at either thereof is positioned in a housing with a portion thereof extending in the region where it is exposed to gases to be sensed; a porous cover is applied on one of the electrodes, the porous cover having a predetermined diffusion resistance to oxygen molecules. A flat insulating plate of approximately the same dimension as the solid electrolyte plate is positioned flat thereagainst, and a flat layer-like electrical heating element is secured on the flat insulating plate or, in other embodiments, against another insulating covering on the other side of the heating element as well, close to the electrodes and adjacent the plane surfaces of the body.