Abstract: A method of affecting the mixture formation and motion of a charge in an engine cylinder during a suction cycle of a gas intake valve of the cylinder. The suction cycle has a first cycle portion and a subsequent, second cycle portion. The method includes the following steps: introducing air and fuel into the cylinder during the suction cycle; maintaining, during the first cycle portion, the gas intake valve in a first open position at full valve stroke in which the gas intake valve has a fully open cross-sectional flow passage area; and maintaining, during the second cycle portion, the intake valve in a second open position at a partial stroke of the gas intake valve. The partial stroke is less than one half of the full stroke; and in the second open position the gas intake valve has a partially open cross-sectional flow passage area.

Abstract: An apparatus for a zero-point stabilization of an exhaust gas sensor installed in an apparatus for a thermal energy conversion of gaseous fuel while producing an exhaust gas stream, includes an arrangement for alternatingly exposing the exhaust gas sensor to a flow of exhaust gas and a flow of fresh air.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for operating a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine with an electromagnetic actuator for moving the cylinder valve into opposite open and closed valve end positions. The electromagnetic actuator has two spaced electromagnets provided with pole faces and being energizable with a controllable current flow, an armature operatively connected to the cylinder valve and arranged between the two electromagnets for a reciprocating motion therebetween into opposite armature end positions at the electromagnets in response to electromagnetic fields generated by the electromagnets for moving the cylinder valve into end positions thereof and return springs coupled to the armature and opposing, by a spring force, the displacements of the armature in response to the electromagnetic fields.

Abstract: A method of affecting a mixture formation and motion of a charge in a cylinder of an externally ignited internal-combustion engine during a suction cycle of a gas intake valve of the cylinder. The suction cycle has a first cycle portion and a second cycle portion; the second cycle portion constitutes an end portion (leading and/or trailing end portion) of the suction cycle. The gas intake valve has, during the first suction cycle, a first open position at full valve stroke in which the gas intake valve has a fully open cross-sectional flow passage area. The method includes the step of maintaining the gas intake valve in a second open position at a partial stroke of the gas intake valve during the second cycle portion. The partial stroke is less than one half of the full stroke, and in the second open position the gas intake valve has a partially open cross-sectional flow passage area.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet composed of a yoke provided with a pole face and a solenoid which is carried by the yoke and which is energizable with electric current for generating electromagnetic forces. An armature coupled to a setting member is movable into engagement with and away from the pole face of the yoke. A resetting spring is connected to the armature for opposing movements of the armature toward the pole face. The yoke and/or the armature is at least in part elastically deformable toward the armature and the yoke, respectively.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet having a pole face, an energized state for generating an electromagnetic force and a de-energized state; and an armature movable towards and away from the pole face in a travel path extending from a first end position remote from the pole face to a second end position at the pole face. The armature assumes the second end position in the energized state of the electromagnet. A return spring urges the armature away from the pole face and toward the first end position. Further, a fluid damping unit is provided for braking a motion of the armature along a terminal portion of its travel path shortly before its arrival into at least one of the end positions for effecting a soft arrival of the armature into such end position.

Abstract: A fluid controlled switching unit includes a valve block; a guide bore provided in the valve block; first and second work chambers provided in the valve block and spaced from one another; first and second cylinder bores provided in the valve body; and a plunger rod guided in the guide bore for reciprocating motion therein along a displacement path. The plunger rod has first and second piston faces situated in the first and second work chambers, respectively, and exposed to fluid pressure prevailing therein. The first and second piston faces move in the first and second cylinder bores, respectively. A valve body is attached to the plunger rod for forming a unitary structure therewith. The valve body has opposite pressure faces as well as first and second opposite end positions determining opposite ends of the displacement path. The valve body, when situated in one of the end positions, is exposed solely unilaterally to fluid pressure at one of the pressure faces thereof.

Abstract: A method for controlling armature movement in an electromagnetic circuit includes the steps of providing two spaced, facing electromagnets and an armature movable between the two electromagnets along a motion path; alternatingly energizing the two electromagnets for causing a reciprocating motion of the armature; detecting the actual moments of passage of the armature during each motion from one electromagnet to the other at least at two consecutive locations along the motion path; comparing signals representing the actual moments of passage with signals representing desired moments of passage of the armature at the two locations; and dependent upon deviations determined in the signal-comparing step, controlling the moment of de-energizing the momentarily releasing electromagnet and controlling the moment of energizing the momentarily catching electromagnet.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for operating a setting member includes an electromagnet which has a housing provided with a recess having an opening; a yoke body having a surface constituting a pole face of the electromagnet; and a solenoid surrounding the yoke body. The yoke body and the solenoid are accommodated in the housing recess. An armature, to which the setting member is coupled, is guided for motions towards and away from the pole face in a space adjoining the electromagnet. The opening of the housing recess faces the space. A resetting spring exerts a force opposing a motion of the armature towards the pole face.

Abstract: A combination of a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine with an electromagnetic assembly for operating the valve. The electromagnetic assembly includes an electromagnetic actuator having first and second electromagnets supported in a spaced relationship with respect to one another, an armature movable between the first and second electromagnets and connected to the valve for moving it between open and closed positions. The electromagnetic assembly further includes a first control device for energizing the electromagnets to cause a motion of the valve by electromagnetic forces generated by the first and second electromagnets; and first and second pressurizable resetting gas springs operatively coupled to the armature to oppose motions thereof caused by the electromagnetic forces generated by the first and second electromagnets, respectively. A pressure supply device supplies pressure to the first and second resetting gas springs.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal component which is made up of at least two partial elements with differing material properties is distinguished in that a first partial element made of a steel material, which can be tempered, is preassembled in a recess in a second partial element made of a magnetic iron material of low retentivity. A copper based solder is applied to the preassembled component at the recess in the transition area between the first partial element and the second partial element. Thereafter, the component is heated to a temperature which lies above the melting temperature of the solder. After the liquid solder has been distributed in a contact area of the two partial elements, the component is cooled. The component is then brought at least once to the tempering temperature of the steel material of the first partial element, is maintained at this temperature for a predetermined length of time and then is completely cooled.

Abstract: A method for controlling the current supply to an electromagnetic valve for operating a cylinder (gas exchange) valve (6 and 7) in a piston-type internal combustion engine, wherein the interior cylinder pressure is detected at least for determining the time "valve opens", and the detected pressure is supplied to the engine control device (14) as a measuring signal. Thereafter the respective actual time of switching off the retaining current at the retaining electromagnet (9, 10), on the one hand, and switching on the capturing current at the capturing electromagnet (9, 10) on the other hand, are corrected as a function of the detected interior cylinder pressure.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnet having a yoke and an operating coil supported by the yoke and connectable to a controllable current supply for effecting a current flow through said operating coil. An armature is movable from a first position remote from the pole face of the electromagnet to a second, pole face-engaging position in response to a first electromagnetic force generated by a current flow through the operating coil. A resetting spring is coupled to the armature and opposes the first electromagnetic force. Further, a circuit is provided which is formed of a braking coil supported by the yoke and a switching element having open and closed states. The circuit is closed in the closed state of the switching element and is in the open state of the switching element.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for operating a setting member includes an actuator body undergoing a dimensional change upon applying electrical energy thereto; a preliminary pressure chamber for accommodating liquid; a diaphragm sealing the preliminary pressure chamber and being displaceable by the actuator body; a valve member carried by the diaphragm; a transfer chamber for accommodating liquid; and a displaceable plate body disposed in the preliminary pressure chamber and sealingly bounding the transfer chamber. The diaphragm, as it is moved by the actuator body, displaces the plate body. A displaceable piston body sealingly bounds the transfer chamber and has a surface which is smaller than the surface of the plate body, whereby the plate body--with the intermediary of the liquid--displaces the piston body to a greater extent than the displacement of the plate body. The piston body, as it moves, displaces the setting member.

Abstract: A method of operating an electromagnetic actuator for actuating a setting member wherein the actuator includes at least one electromagnet supplied with current by a control device, and an armature that is operatively connected with the setting member to be actuated and which can be brought out of a first set position, counter to a force of a restoring spring, into a second set position, in which the armature is in contact with the pole face of the electromagnet, when the electromagnet is supplied with current. The change in the setting force of the restoring spring is detected, at least during part of the armature motion, and the respective position of the armature and/or its moving speed is or are derived from this. The derived value is used to check and/or influence the actuation of the electromagnet.

Abstract: A method of recognizing the contact of an armature in an electromagnetic actuator for activating a setting member that can be brought out of a first set position, counter to the force of a restoring spring, and brought into contact with the pole surface of the electromagnet and held when the electromagnet is supplied with current. The controlled (clocked) current course for the holding phase is detected during the time provided for armature contact, and is converted into a current-proportional voltage, and the converted voltage is differentiated and detected as a recognition signal, both for the normal condition of "armature in contact" and the fault condition of "armature is not in contact.

Abstract: A method for actuating an electromagnetic actuator for a cylinder (gas exchange) valve of a piston-type internal combustion engine, wherein the actuator has two spaced electromagnets and an armature which is operatively connected to the cylinder valve and which is guided movably, as a function of the current supplied to the electromagnet by a control unit, in the closing direction counter to the force of an opener spring and in the opening position counter to the force of a closing spring, and for the normal stroke of the gas exchange valve, the armature is kept via the springs at the same spacing from the two electromagnets when the electromagnets are without current. To shorten the valve stroke during operation, the prestressing of one of the two springs, preferably the opener spring, is variable via an adjusting device which is triggered or controlled via the engine control unit.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve for an internal combustion engine includes a valve block; an injection nozzle carried by the valve block and having a nozzle opening; a valve needle slidable in the injection nozzle for assuming closed and open positions to block and, respectively, to unblock the nozzle opening; a closing spring urging the valve needle into the closed position; and a pressurized fluid port in the valve block. The nozzle opening is in communication with the pressurized fluid port in the open position of the valve needle. A discharge port is defined in the valve block for carrying fluid away therefrom. An equalizing piston, which is slidably disposed in a work chamber in the valve block, is connected with the valve needle. A control plunger is movable in the valve block and has a first position and a second position.

Abstract: A reciprocating-piston machine includes a cylinder; a piston received in the cylinder for reciprocating motion therein; a crankshaft having a crankshaft axis and being torque-transmittingly connected to the piston; a control disk mounted on the crankshaft for rotation therewith in a plane of rotation; an elongated weight-compensating member having opposite ends and extending transversely to the crankshaft axis; a follower roller carried by the weight-compensating member and riding on a cam track of the control disk; a supporting arrangement supporting the weight-compensating member at its ends substantially coplanar with the plane of rotation of the control disk for guiding the weight-compensating member in displacements towards and away from said crankshaft; a spring arrangement included in the support arrangement for urging the weight-compensating member toward the crankshaft to press the follower roller against the cam track with a spring force; and an adjusting device for varying the spring force.

Abstract: A method of initiating motion of at least one of cylinder valve of a cylinder of a reciprocating engine, with each cylinder valve being actuated by an electromagnetic actuator having an electrical closing magnet and an electrical opening magnet, between which magnets an armature that is connected to the cylinder valve to be actuated is movably guided back and forth, counter to the forces of restoring springs, and with the alternating current supply to the closing magnet and the opening magnet being controlled by an electrical engine control. The natural frequency of the spring-mass system formed by the restoring springs and the armature with the cylinder valve is stored in the electrical engine control. The instantaneous rpm and position of the crankshaft with respect to a dead center point position and with reference to the stored natural frequency are detected by the engine control.