Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operation of fuel injectors within an applied-ignition, direct-injection internal combustion engine. In one example, a needle of a fuel injector is moved from a retracted position to an extended position relative to a plurality of injection holes of a nozzle of the fuel injector, with at least one injection hole being separated from a fuel supply system earlier than each other injection hole. In a partially retracted position, fuel flow along a first side of the needle is decreased relative to fuel flow along a second side of the needle.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising, during one working cycle, distributing fuel for each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders among a plurality of injection processes according to settable split factors which respectively define a setpoint fuel mass and/or injection duration and time setting of each respective injection process for the plurality of individual injection processes, wherein random variation is carried out for at least one injection process.

Abstract: An injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine comprises a valve seat, a valve element, at least one injection opening formed in the valve seat and leading to the combustion chamber, the at least one injection opening opened or closed by a stroke motion of the valve element, a catalytic coating provided in a region of the injection valve which faces the combustion chamber, and at least one protuberance which is elongated in a direction of the combustion chamber and projects into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, the method comprising, during one working cycle, distributing fuel for each cylinder of the plurality of cylinders among a plurality of injection processes according to settable split factors which respectively define a setpoint fuel mass and/or injection duration and time setting of each respective injection process for the plurality of individual injection processes, wherein random variation is carried out for at least one injection process.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for determining a start of fuel injection including a gaseous fuel in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, an end of gas injection, a duration of gas injection, and a start of gas injection in an induction pipe of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine is determined based on one or more operating parameters. An earliest possible start of gas injection is further determined, and if the start of gas injection is before the earliest possible start of gas injection, at least one of the one or more operating parameters is modified such that the start of gas injection does not occur before the earliest possible start of gas injection.

Abstract: A turbocharger for an internal combustion engine includes an oil-lubricated bearing, a feed line for the oil and a throughflow limiter for the oil.

Abstract: An adjustable ignition plug, with one or more variable electrodes, and a method to adjust the electrode gap spacing based on various engine operating parameters. This better enables the reliable ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of a direct-injection internal combustion engine under various engine operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for discharging liquid from an intake tract of a turbocharger arrangement including a charge air cooler. As such, a charge air cooler may include a liquid collector including a switchable valve downstream of a charge air cooler. The switchable valve may be adjusted following the determination of an opening frequency and an opening duration based on a liquid collector temperature and a liquid collector pressure.

Abstract: A method for controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine, with which a device for the detection of misfires is provided, comprises operation of the internal combustion engine in a calibration mode, wherein the calibration mode includes stepwise reduction of the ignition energy by changing the ignition parameter starting from an initial value, detecting the reaching of a combustion failure limit based on the signal of the detection device and again reducing the ignition energy if the combustion failure limit has not yet been reached, and storing the ignition parameter at the point in time of reaching the combustion failure limit. When not in the calibration mode, operation of the ignition system takes place according to the stored ignition parameter. With such feedback control, electrode burn of the spark plugs is reduced, leading to an extension of the service life of the spark plugs.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an engine that may be automatically stopped and started are presented. In one example, a compressor is activated from a deactivated state in response to one or more environmental parameters during an engine start. The methods and systems may improve engine response after an engine start.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine is provided. The method comprises adjusting an oil pressure in an oil circuit, the oil circuit including a pump in fluidic communication with a hydraulically adjustable cam follower and switching the hydraulically adjustable cam follower into a connected state to a disconnected in response to the oil pressure adjustment.

Abstract: A turbocharged internal combustion engine is provided with at least a partially variable valve train on an intake side wherein the intake valves are controlled to optimize the actuation of a second inlet valve in relation to a first inlet valve for different load conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for reducing coking residues on an injection device of an applied-ignition, direct injection engine. An example system comprises an injection device; an electric heating device integrated with the injection device; a catalytic coating on a surface of the injection device; and a controller suitable to initiate a cleaning mode of the injection device wherein the electric heating device raises the temperature of the injection device. Heating the injection device allows coking residues on the injection device to oxidize in the presence of the catalytic coating.

Abstract: A turbocharger arrangement in an internal combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger arrangement includes a turbocharger housing surrounding a sealed inner space and a shaft extending through the turbocharger housing. The turbocharger arrangement further includes a turbine wheel arranged on the shaft and driving a compressor unit, a bearing arrangement mounting the shaft in the turbocharger housing, an oil supply device lubricating the bearing arrangement, and a pressure changing unit in fluidic communication with the sealed inner space configured to adjust the pressure in the sealed inner space based on engine operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling fuel injection and a fuel injection system, wherein the fuel injection system comprises a fuel pump and a plurality of injection valves, each connected to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, wherein the fuel pump and/or the injection valves produce pressure waves that cause fuel pressure fluctuations, and wherein depending on a respective current demanded fuel quantity in the internal combustion engine the fuel injection quantity is reduced or increased by using at least one actuator to produce additional pressure waves in the fuel injection system that modify the fuel pressure fluctuations with at least temporary boosting of said fuel pressure fluctuations.

Abstract: A pressure determining method is provided for a fuel distribution rail of an injection system of a motor vehicle comprising maximizing the fuel rail pressure to minimize particulate emissions of the engine. The method determines a setpoint pressure based on a calculation pressure being determined from a sum of a combustion chamber pressure and a square of a ratio of a fuel mass component and a pulse width, wherein the calculation pressure is output, at least temporarily, as the setpoint pressure.

Abstract: An adjustable ignition plug, with one or more variable electrodes, and a method to adjust the electrode gap spacing based on various engine operating parameters. This better enables the reliable ignition of the air-fuel mixture in a cylinder of a direct-injection internal combustion engine under various engine operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for discharging liquid from an intake tract of a turbocharger arrangement including a charge air cooler. As such, a charge air cooler may include a liquid collector including a switchable valve downstream of a charge air cooler. The switchable valve may be adjusted following the determination of an opening frequency and an opening duration based on a liquid collector temperature and a liquid collector pressure.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for determining a start of fuel injection including a gaseous fuel in an internal combustion engine are provided. In one embodiment, an end of gas injection, a duration of gas injection, and a start of gas injection in an induction pipe of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine is determined based on one or more operating parameters. An earliest possible start of gas injection is further determined, and if the start of gas injection is before the earliest possible start of gas injection, at least one of the one or more operating parameters is modified such that the start of gas injection does not occur before the earliest possible start of gas injection.

Abstract: A method for controlling an ignition system of an internal combustion engine, with which a device for the detection of misfires is provided, comprises operation of the internal combustion engine in a calibration mode, wherein the calibration mode includes stepwise reduction of the ignition energy by changing the ignition parameter starting from an initial value, detecting the reaching of a combustion failure limit based on the signal of the detection device and again reducing the ignition energy if the combustion failure limit has not yet been reached, and storing the ignition parameter at the point in time of reaching the combustion failure limit. When not in the calibration mode, operation of the ignition system takes place according to the stored ignition parameter. With such feedback control, electrode burn of the spark plugs is reduced, leading to an extension of the service life of the spark plugs.