Abstract: A method for recognizing misfires in a piston-type internal-combustion engine with spark ignition and an engine control unit (ECU) for actuating electromagnetic actuators to operate the cylinder valves. The time difference between the opening time preset by the engine control unit and the actual opening time of an exhaust valve is detected as the actual value, then compared to a preset tolerance-time difference as the nominal value, and a signal is generated if this nominal value is not met, i.e., the nominal value exceeds the actual value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston-type internal combustion engine comprising gas-exchange valves which can be driven in a completely variable manner by a motor control (2) and which communicate with an air supply channel (4) provided with a device (6) for generating a negative pressure using the energy components of the air flowing through said air supply channel (4). This device is provided with means that can be driven for adaptation to the modifications in the flow energy which are inherent to the operation, and communicates with at least one negative-pressure user (8, 9, 10) through at least one negative-pressure duct (7).

Abstract: A method for operating a piston-type internal-combustion engine having electromagnetic valve trains for actuating the cylinder valves, which respectively have an armature that can move back and forth between two electromagnets, counter to the force of restoring springs, with the valves being completely variably actuated by an electronic engine timing control unit. The functioning of the electromagnetic valve trains of each cylinder is detected in the engine timing control unit during operation, and when a functional failure of an electromagnetic valve train is detected at a cylinder, the electromagnet of the failed electromagnetic valve train is acted upon with a capturing current, which brings the armature into an end position at an electromagnet, and from this end position, the electromagnetic valve train is actuated for the ongoing work cycle of the cylinder.

Abstract: A method of controlling a supply current applied to an electromagnet of an electromagnetic actuator by a control unit for obtaining a low impact speed of a reciprocating armature of the actuator upon arrival of the armature at a pole face of the electromagnet, includes the following steps: during travel of the armature toward the pole face detecting displacements of the armature and a sequence of the armature speed as actual values; comparing the actual values with a performance characteristic field stored in the control unit and relating to a predetermined relationship between armature speed and armature displacement for the armature travel toward the pole face; determining a desired value for the supply current from the comparison step; comparing an actual value for the supply current with the determined desired value; adjusting the supply current based on a difference between the actual and desired values; and applying the adjusted supply current to the electromagnet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an electromagnetic actuator for activating a gas exchange valve on a reciprocating internal combustion engine, said gas exchange valve having two electromagnets that are set apart from each other and between which an armature that acts on the gas exchange valve against the force of at least one return spring is guided in such a way that it can move back and forth between the pole faces of the two electromagnets. The electromagnets are alternately subjected to a receiving current by means of a control unit and the movement of the armature on its path from one pole face to the other is detected by means of a sensor unit.

Abstract: The process relates to a diesel engine, the individual cylinders (1) of which are respectively provided with a fuel injection device, having an injector (21) that discharges into the combustion chamber (2) of the cylinder (1), said cylinders comprising at least one discharge valve (9) and at least one admission valve (7) for each cylinder, to which are assigned respectively extending admission channels (6, 8) in the cylinder head (3), which channels empty at a slant into the combustion chamber (2), wherein the combustion chamber (2) of a cylinder (1) that is limited by the cylinder head (3) on the one side and the piston bottom (13) on the other side is designed such that the charge movement inside the combustion chamber (2) is a rotational movement around the cylinder axis (17), having a value CU/CA≦0.5 and a tumble movement around the lateral axis having a value of CT/CA≧0.5, and wherein the injector is provided with at least one injector opening.

Abstract: A method of controlling functions of an internal-combustion engine having electrically operated actuators for controlling engine functions, includes the following steps: detecting control-relevant operational data by a sensor arrangement; applying the detected operational data to a first, engine-integrated electronic engine control system; controlling the actuators by control signals from the first electronic engine control system through a power unit; applying the operational data to a second, external electronic engine control system in synchronism with the operational data applied to the first electronic engine control system; generating control signals at an output of the second electronic engine control system; applying, to the power unit, control signals emanating from the second electronic engine control system for the actuator of at least one selected engine function; and simultaneously with the preceding step, removing from the power unit control signals emanating from the first electronic engine con

Abstract: A method of detecting combustion misfires in an internal-combustion engine, includes the following steps: variably actuating valve drives of the engine by an electronic engine control; performing a load-dependent control with the control system by a cylinder-control program; the load-dependent control includes the step of reducing power in at least one cylinder by separately affecting ignition and fuel supply thereto; detecting, in the control system by the cylinder-control program, the cylinder of reduced power with a cylinder-identification signal; at predeterminable intervals detecting, from signals obtained in the preceding step, resulting deviations of predetermined operating data as normal operation; detecting, as combustion misfires, deviations of the predetermined operating data from the normal operation obtained in the preceding step; and generating a setting signal upon detecting deviations in the preceding step.

Abstract: A method of cold starting an internal-combustion engine includes the steps of rotating the engine crankshaft by a starter motor to initiate cold starting; and during initial work cycles of the cold start, controlling, by an engine control device, the cylinder valves, the fuel injection device and the ignition device belonging to at least one selected cylinder, such as to operate the selected cylinder in a delayed intake opening mode.

Abstract: A method for starting up an electromagnetic actuator operating an engine cylinder valve. The actuator has two spaced electromagnets, between which an armature, connected to the cylinder valve, is reciprocated against a restoring spring from a center position to lie against a magnet pole face. An ECU alternatingly supplies the electromagnets with a capturing current, the level of which is regulated as a function of the approach of the armature toward a pole face, as detected by a sensor assembly. A reference temperature is detected for the magnets, and, at a normal temperature, the armature starts oscillating due to the alternating energization of the electromagnets, and is brought into contact with a pole face. Or, at a low temperature level, one of the electromagnets is supplied with a high current pulse.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of cylinders defining combustion chambers each having a roof provided in the cylinder head. Each roof is composed of first and second inclined roof surfaces meeting in a ridge line. Two gas intake openings terminate in respective free edges on the first roof surface and at least one gas exhaust opening terminates in a free edge on the second roof surface. Respective gas exchange valves are seatable in the gas intake and gas exhaust openings. A fuel injection nozzle and a spark plug are supported in the cylinder head in a region of the roof. The first roof surface has, adjacent the fuel injection nozzle, a shoulder covering a terminal edge of the cylinders and extending into each combustion chamber. The shoulder has a front face transverse to the nozzle axis. The free edge of the gas intake openings intersects the ridge line.

Abstract: The invention related to a method for low loss periodic control of a capacitive load (CP), in particular of a piezoelectric actuator. In this method, before load control begins, a capacitor bank (C1) is charged via a voltage source (UB) until the oprating voltage of load (CP) is attained; then the load (CP) is charged from the capacitor bank (C1) via a series resonant circuit formed by a reactance coil (L1), a freewheeling diode (DE), and by the load (CP). In this method, when a load is required, the load (CP) is linked via discharge switch (SE) to the reactance soil (L1) which is itself connected via a freewheeling freewheeling diode (DL) to the capacitor bank (C1) in such a way that the load (CP) is discharged until a residual voltage (UR).

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for operating a driven component includes first and second electromagnets having respective first and second pole faces oriented toward one another and defining a space therebetween; an armature disposed between the electromagnets and movable back and forth between the first and second pole faces in a direction of motion; a driving component attached to the armature for moving therewith as a unitary structure; and a resetting spring unit attached solely to the driving component or the driven component and exerting forces opposing movements of the armature caused by electromagnetic forces generated by the electromagnets. The resetting spring unit is in a relaxed state when the armature is in a mid position between the first and second pole faces and is in an armed state upon movement of the armature from the mid position in either direction.

Abstract: An ignition method for a multi-cylinder reciprocating gas engine wherein, in order to start a combustion cycle, a compressed, substantially homogeneous and not self-igniting combustion gas-air mixture contained in the corresponding cylinder chamber to be fired is ignited by the direct injection of a small amount of combustion gas. The injected small amount of combustion gas, which serves as the ignition gas, is injected onto a hot surface in the region of the combustion chamber. The beginning of the injection is predetermined depending on the position of the crankshaft, and is controlled by an engine control unit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for operating a driven component includes first and second electromagnets having respective first and second pole faces oriented toward one another and defining a space therebetween; an armature disposed in the space and movable back and forth between the first and second pole faces; a driving component attached to the armature for moving therewith as a unit; and a resetting spring assembly coupled to the armature and exerting forces opposing movements of the armature caused by electromagnetic forces generated by the electromagnets. The resetting spring assembly is in a relaxed state when the armature is in a mid position between the first and second pole faces. A coupling device connects the driving component with the driven component for effecting a transmission of pushing and pulling forces from the driving component to the driven component to cause displacements of the driven component as a function of displacements of the armature and the driving component.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator for operating a driven member includes an electromagnet having a yoke provided with a pole face and a coil supported by the yoke and adapted to be supplied with electric current to produce an electromagnetic force; and an armature connectable to the driven member and movable in a path of motion into a first position and a second position spaced from the first position. The armature is moved by the electromagnetic forces into the second position in contact with the pole face. A resetting spring is coupled to the armature and exerts a spring force thereon for urging the armature away from the second position toward the first position. The actuator further includes a dampening assembly which has a piston affixed to the armature and a dampening cylinder provided in the yoke and having an open end oriented toward the armature and being in an axial alignment with the piston. In the first position of the armature the piston is axially spaced from the dampening cylinder.

Abstract: A setting assembly in a piston-type internal-combustion engine includes a setting device connected to a component for adjusting its position; a power device; and a gearing having an input member connected to the power device for driving the gearing by the power device, an output member connected to the setting device for driving the setting device by the gearing; a down-stepping arrangement forming part of the gearing for providing a substantially down-stepped transmission ratio between the input and output members; and a reversing arrangement for reversing the direction of motion of the output member.

Abstract: A method of operating an externally-ignited internal-combustion engine which includes a plurality of engine cylinders each provided with cylinder valves, an ignition device, a fuel injection device and an electromagnetic valve drive for operating the cylinder valves, and which further includes an electronic engine control for controlling the cylinder valves, includes the following steps: monitoring the operation of the ignition device and/or the fuel injection device of each cylinder; and, during cold start and/or when a spark failure and/or an ignition failure is detected in one of the cylinders during the monitoring step, adapting the control of the electromagnetic valve drives of that cylinder to the changed operational conditions.

Abstract: A method of regulating the idling run of an internal-combustion engine having a crankshaft, a plurality of cylinders each provided with intake and exhaust valves, a piston received for reciprocation in each cylinder and an engine control for variably controlling the intake and exhaust valves. The method includes the following steps during the idling run: determining the opening moment of the intake valves as a function of the angular position of the crankshaft and determining the closing moment of the intake valves by the engine control as a function of time.

Abstract: An engine valve assembly for an internal-combustion engine includes an engine valve having open and closed positions and a first oscillating mass; a closing spring connected to the valve for urging it into its closed position. The assembly has an electromagnetic actuator which operates the valve and which includes a first and a second electromagnet having respective first and second pole faces oriented toward one another and defining a space therebetween; an armature movable back and forth in the space between the first and second pole faces; and a guide bar affixed to the armature. The guide bar has an end oriented toward the valve and defining therewith a valve clearance when the valve is in its closed position and the armature is in contact with one of the electromagnets. The armature and the guide bar together have a second oscillating mass which is at least twice the first oscillating mass.