Abstract: A method for operating a laser as an ignition device of an internal combustion engine, the laser including at least one laser crystal, a passive Q-switch and at least one pump device, particularly a laser diode, which optically pumps the laser crystal using pump radiation; at a temperature of the laser crystal below an operating boundary temperature, the pump radiation being changed, compared to a normal operation, in such a way that, compared to the normal operation, a greater radiation energy is converted to heat in the laser crystal.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a laser-active solid having a bonded passive Q-switch is provided, which is particularly suitable for large quantities.

Abstract: A method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, having a laser device which has a laser-active solid that has a passive Q-switch. The duration of a pumping light pulse that is applied to the laser device is selected as a function of a specifiable number of laser pulses that is to be generated using the laser device.

Abstract: A method is described for operating an ignition device, in particular in an internal combustion engine, having a combustion chamber window for optically connecting the ignition device to a combustion chamber. An optical signal which may be detected in the region of the combustion chamber window is evaluated to deduce a state of the combustion chamber window. In particular, soiling of the combustion chamber window may be identified in this manner.

Abstract: A method is for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, having a laser device which has a laser-active solid having a passive Q-switch and which generates a laser pulse for eradiating into a combustion chamber, and having a pumping light source which provides a pumping light for the laser-active solid of the laser device. A point of ignition, at which the laser pulse is generated, is regulated to a specifiable setpoint value by setting a radiation intensity of the pumping light and/or a pumping duration and/or a pumping starting time and/or a wavelength of the pumping light.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine including a fuel-injection unit and a laser ignition-unit. According to the invention, during a compression cycle of the internal combustion engine, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber by means of the fuel-injection unit in such a way that an ignitable, round, flat mixed region of fuel and air forms on a plunger and a predetermined period elapses between the end of the fuel injection and the start of ignition in order to form the round flat mixed region. Ignition then takes place within the flat round mixed region by means of the laser-ignition unit.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, having a laser device which has a laser-active solid and which generates a laser beam, preferably in the form of a laser pulse, for eradiation into a combustion chamber, focusing optics for focusing the laser beam being allocated to the laser device. The laser beam has a beam profile that deviates from being circular. A pumping light source is provided for applying pumping light to the laser device. The beam profile of the laser beam and/or of the pumping light is rectangular or linear and/or circular and/or dumbbell-shaped.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine having a light guide device for supplying the spark plug with optical radiant power. A sensor arrangement is at least partially integrated into the spark plug but disposed outside the light guide device, and is embodied for the acquisition of operating data of the spark plug and/or of a combustion chamber associated with the spark plug.

Abstract: An optical distributor for the distribution of light, in particular laser light, between at least one optical input and at least one of several optical outputs includes at least one movably disposed light guide and a positioning member for moving the at least one light guide, the movably disposed light guide being movable by the positioning member such that at least one of the optical inputs is connectable via the light guide to at least one of the optical outputs.

Abstract: A method for operating an ignition device for an internal combustion engine, particularly of a motor vehicle, having a laser device which has a laser-active solid that has a passive Q-switch. The duration of a pumping light pulse that is applied to the laser device is selected as a function of a specifiable number of laser pulses that is to be generated using the laser device.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle, includes at least one pump light source, which provides a pump light. Furthermore, a laser device is provided, which is able to generate a laser light for beaming into a combustion chamber. A waveguide device transmits the pump light from the pump light source to the laser device. The laser device includes at least one refraction device, for example, a lens, which refracts the pump light and is in one piece therewith.

Abstract: An ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes at least one pump light source which supplies a pump light. In addition, a laser device is provided which generates a laser pulse for emission into a combustion chamber. A light guide device transmits the pump light from the pump light source to the laser device. Finally, a laser-active solid body, a passive Q-switch, an incoupling mirror, and an output mirror of the laser device are arranged as one integrated monolithic part.

Abstract: A laser device having a cavity which has a first laser-active region and at least one second laser-active region having a passive Q-switch as well as mirrors bound the cavity, the first laser-active region emitting light of a first wavelength, as a result of having pumping light applied to it, for which the cavity is developed as a resonator. The second laser-active region, having the passive Q-switch, in turn emits the light of a second wavelength, as a result of the application of the light of the first wavelength. The cavity is also developed as a resonator for the light of the second wavelength.

Abstract: A signal processing device and a control unit for cooperating with a signal processing device are described, the signal processing device being designed for processing knocking signals of an internal combustion engine which are provided by knocking sensors. A comprehensive check for errors is performed. The filter coefficients provided for a filter in the signal processing device are checked for consistency. Furthermore, messages between control unit and signal processing device are checked for transmission errors. If errors occur, alternate measures are initiated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine including a fuel-injection unit and a laser ignition-unit. According to the invention, during a compression cycle of the internal combustion engine, fuel is injected into the combustion chamber by means of the fuel-injection unit in such a way that an ignitable, round, flat mixed region of fuel and air forms on a plunger and a predetermined period elapses between the end of the fuel injection and the start of ignition in order to form the round flat mixed region. Ignition then takes place within the flat round mixed region by means of the laser-ignition unit.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting knocking, in which a measurement signal of a knock sensor is evaluated during combustion in a cylinder of a combustion engine to determine whether the combustion occurred with knocking. The measurement signal is subdivided into a plurality of windows, and in each window an examination is performed to determine whether the combustion occurred with knocking. For a final assessment of whether the combustion occurred with knocking, the events of windows are compared to each other.

Abstract: A signal processing device and a control unit for cooperating with a signal processing device are described, the signal processing device being designed for processing knocking signals of an internal combustion engine which are provided by knocking sensors. A comprehensive check for errors is performed. The filter coefficients provided for a filter in the signal processing device are checked for consistency. Furthermore, messages between control unit and signal processing device are checked for transmission errors. If errors occur, alternate measures are initiated.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting knocking, in which a measurement signal of a knock sensor is evaluated during combustion in a cylinder of a combustion engine to determine whether the combustion occurred with knocking. The measurement signal is subdivided into a plurality of windows, and in each window an examination is performed to determine whether the combustion occurred with knocking. For a final assessment of whether the combustion occurred with knocking, the events of windows are compared to each other.

Abstract: A device for ignition in an internal combustion engine using laser radiation. The laser radiation has a plurality of laser sub-beams that are focused at a plurality of different focus points in the combustion chamber.