Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling the NOx regeneration of a NOx storage catalyst (14) disposed in the exhaust gas train (12) of an internal combustion engine (10) of a motor vehicle. The NOx regeneration is at least initiated when a threshold value is exceeded for a load state of a NOx storage catalyst (14) or a NOx emission downstream from the NOx storage catalyst (14). According to the invention, it is detected (a) whether the internal combustion engine (10) is idling and (b) alternately or in any possible combination, the threshold value for the load state or the NOx emission is increased; the NOx regeneration is only initiated after a specific amount of time has elapsed and a current NOx regeneration is interrupted when a shift occurs into an idling mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the functioning of an NOx sensor, which is arranged in an exhaust gas channel of an internal combustion engine and is located downstream from an NOx storage catalytic converter. The aim of the invention is to detect the faulty functioning of the NOx sensor in a simple manner in order to be able to take appropriate measures if necessary. To this end, the mass of NOx absorbed by the NOx storage catalytic converter is determined within a diagnostic period using a measurement signal of the NOx sensor. At the same time, an absorbed NOx target mass is calculated using a model for the NOx storage catalytic converter. A ratio of the NOx mass to the NOx target mass is then compared to predetermined limit values to determine the functioning of the NOx sensor. The aim of the invention is alternatively accomplished by measuring a duration time for a complete NOx regeneration of the NOx storage catalytic converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for severing a spare rib (RR) from a backbone (R), whereby the split backbone is conveyed inside a guideway (2), which is comprised of two guide plates (21, 22) and which delimits a wedge-shaped channel (23) through which the spare rib (R) projects each time and a cutting edge (10) of a cutting device (1) traverses past on the side of the rib. The cutting device (1) is a rotary blade with a cutting rim (10), which is tapered to form a sharp edge, and its cutting blade (11) is arranged nearly parallel to the guide plates (21, 22) whose distance from one another can be adjusted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a NOx storage catalyst by means of a NOx-sensitive measuring device, especially a NOx sensor, that is arranged downstream in relation to the NOx storage catalyst which is arranged in an exhaust gas channel of a combustion engine. According to the invention, a reference time (t0) is determined by means of a signal path of the NOx-sensitive measuring device (18) after the combustion engine (10) has been switched into a lean operating mode. Said reference time is used as the timely starting point for controlling processes being related to the NOx storage catalyst (16). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for severing a spare rib (RR) from a backbone (R), whereby the split backbone is conveyed inside a guideway (2), which is comprised of two guide plates (21, 22) and which delimits a wedge-shaped channel (23) through which the spare rib (R) projects each time and a cutting edge (10) of a cutting device (1) traverses past on the side of the rib. The cutting device (1) is a rotary blade with a cutting rim (10), which is tapered to form a sharp edge, and its cutting blade (11) is arranged nearly parallel to the guide plates (21, 22) whose distance from one another can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the desulfurization of an NOx storage catalyst situated in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, whereby, for the desulfurization, the internal combustion engine is alternatingly operated in a lean mode at &lgr;>1 and a rich mode at &lgr;<1. During the desulfurization process, the present invention provides for the progress of the desulfurization being monitored, using a change in a parameter relating to intervals (In), whereby the interval (In) lasts from the beginning of an nth rich operating phase (Tf,n), until the measured value drops below a predetermined lambda threshold value (Sf) downstream from the NOx storage catalyst (16). Furthermore, the progress of the desulfurization is monitored, using a change in a lambda probe voltage (Un) downstream from the NOx storage catalyst (16), which is determined at the end of a predetermined interval at the beginning of an nth rich operating phase (Tf,n).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for determining the need for regeneration in a NOx storage catalyst (18) arranged in the exhaust train (12) of an at least periodically lean-operating internal combustion engine (10) for a motor vehicle. According to the invention, the need for regeneration is determined according to the engine power (P) of the internal combustion engine (10) and the remaining NOx storage capacity of the NOx storage catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling the NOx regeneration of a NOx storage catalyst (14) disposed in the exhaust gas train (12) of an internal combustion engine (10) of a motor vehicle. The NOx regeneration is at least initiated when a threshold value is exceeded for a load state of a NOx storage catalyst (14) or a NOx emission downstream from the NOx storage catalyst (14). According to the invention, it is detected (a) whether the internal combustion engine (10) is idling and (b) alternately or in any possible combination, the threshold value for the load state or the NOx emission is increased; the NOx-regeneration is only initiated after a specific amount of time has elapsed and a current NOx regeneration is interrupted when a shift occurs into an idling mode.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a NOx storage catalyst by means of a NOx-sensitive measuring device, especially a NOx sensor, that is arranged downstream in relation to the NOx storage catalyst which is arranged in an exhaust gas channel of a combustion engine. According to the invention, a reference time (to) is determined by means of a signal path of the NOx-sensitive measuring device (18) after the combustion engine (10) has been switched into a lean operating mode. Said reference time is used as the timely starting point for controlling processes being related to the NOx storage catalyst (16). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The end of a regeneration interval of an NOx accumulating catalytic converter for an engine run on a lean mixture is determined by detecting the end of the regeneration phase of the NOx accumulator using a sensor having a cross-sensitivity NOx and to a reducing agent in an exhaust-gas constituent which passes through the catalytic converter at the end of the regeneration phase. Exhaust-gas reducing constituents such as CO and NH3, which can be detected by a cross-sensitive NOx sensor, can be the exhaust-gas products detected at the end of the regeneration phase. By determining the end and beginning of a regeneration phase, different control functions and various types of information can be deduced, including control of the completion of rich-mixture engine operations, correction of a stored regeneration model in the engine management system, and ageing of the catalytic converter.