Abstract: A cylinder head cover to be positioned on a cylinder head of an internal-combustion engine includes first and second separate cover parts fitting together along a longitudinally extending parting joint. The first and second cover parts have complemental portions for surrounding a fuel supply line leading into the cylinder head. Securing devices releasably attach the first and second cover parts to one another and to the cylinder head. A seal is provided between the first and second cover parts for sealing them to one another and for providing that the complemental portions of the first and second cover parts sealingly surround the fuel supply line.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes an engine cylinder having an axis, a cylinder top and a cylinder chamber; a piston slidably received in the cylinder and bordering the cylinder chamber; an intake valve, an exhaust valve and an ignition device arranged at the cylinder top; and a fuel injection nozzle arranged at the cylinder top and opening into the cylinder chamber at a location adjoining the exhaust valve.

Abstract: A method of reducing the travelling speed of a vehicle which has a multi-cylinder, piston-type internal-combustion engine, a variably controllable valve drive and a collision avoidance system includes the following steps: continuously determining, by the collision avoidance system, an actual distance between the vehicle and a vehicle ahead and comparing the actual distance with a speed-dependent minimum safe distance; and braking the vehicle by switching over at least one of the engine cylinders to a compressor operation when the actual distance falls below a minimum safe distance.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a cylinder, a piston reciprocating therein, intake and exhaust ports, a fuel injection nozzle opening into the combustion chamber of the cylinder and an ignition device situated in the top wall of the cylinder. The top wall of the cylinder as well as the piston base oriented towards the top wall each has first and second surfaces being inclined to one another and meeting in a ridge, whereby the top wall and the piston base have an essentially V-shaped configuration when viewed in a sectional plane taken along the cylinder axis. The first surface of the top wall faces and is parallel with the first surface of the piston base and the second surface of the top wall faces and is parallel with the second surface of the piston base. A dished depression is provided in the piston base such that the depression interrupts the ridge and extends on either side thereof, whereby the dished depression is bounded by the first and second surfaces of the piston base.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator, particularly for operating a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine, includes an electromagnet for generating an attracting electromagnetic force; an armature movable into contact with and away from the electromagnet; a spring arrangement connected to the armature and opposing the electromagnetic force; and a sound muffling device attached to the electromagnet for reducing sound transmission by body vibration from the electromagnet.

Abstract: A method of 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 includes the steps of energizing an electromagnet of the actuator for generating an electromagnetic force for moving an armature of the actuator toward a pole face of the electromagnet against the force of a return spring; after the armature enters a zone adjacent the pole face of the electromagnet, applying to the armature an additional force opposing the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet; dimensioning the additional force such that an equilibrium between the electromagnetic force of the electromagnet and the increased opposing force of the return spring is situated at a location shortly before the armature enters into engagement with the pole face of the electromagnet; and after the armature reaches the location of force equilibrium, controlling a current supply to the electromagnet such that the armature reaches the

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting play between a cylinder valve of a piston engine and an electromagnetic actuator that actuates the cylinder valve. The electromagnet has a closing electromagnet and an opening electromagnet, two restoring springs and an armature which is guided to be movable back and forth between the two electromagnets, in each case counter to a force of a respective one of the restoring springs for acting upon the cylinder valve. With the armature held at one of the electromagnets by a holding current I.sub.H, a time interval t.sub.H after turnoff of the holding current I.sub.H at the holding electromagnet until the arrival of the armature at the other one of the electromagnets is measured, and the valve play is calculated by subtracting from the time interval t.sub.H a motion time t.sub.B predetermined by the spring-mass system, comprising the armature, valve body and restoring springs, and a sticking time t.sub.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electromagnetic actuator having an electromagnet including a magnetic core presenting a pole face and an electromagnet coil wound around the magnetic core, a return spring and an armature connected to an actuation mechanism and movable toward the pole face by a magnetic force of the electromagnet against the force of the return spring. The method includes: detecting a time behavior and/or value of current and/or voltage present at the electromagnet coil during a time period when the armature does not move relative to the electromagnet, and deriving a value corresponding to the actual ohmic resistance and/or inductance of the electromagnet coil from the detected time behavior and/or value from the detecting step for compensating changes in the ohmic resistance of the electromagnet coil.

Abstract: An engine starter includes an electric driving motor having a drive shaft; a transmission pinion coupled to the drive shaft; a starter pinion meshing with the transmission pinion; and a swiveling device mounted on the drive shaft for pivotal motion thereabout. The starter pinion is rotatably supported in the swiveling device. A friction clutch torque-transmittingly couples the drive shaft to the swiveling device for causing the swiveling device to pivot about the shaft for placing the starter pinion in a working position when the shaft is rotated in a driving direction. The engine starter further has an overrunning device for transmitting a driving torque between the drive shaft and the transmission pinion solely when the drive shaft rotates at least at the same speed as the transmission pinion.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the position of rest of an armature of an electromagnetic actuator, reciprocated against the force of resetting springs by an alternating energization of two spaced electromagnets; the position of rest being assumed by the armature in the de-energized state of the two electromagnets. The method includes the steps of detecting and determining actual values of an impact indicator representing an impact behavior of the armature as the armature impacts on the pole face of the capturing electromagnet; comparing the actual values derived from both electromagnets with predetermined desired values to form deviation values between the actual and the desired values; and, if deviation values are present, shifting the position of rest of the armature by an adjusting device until the actual values derived from both electromagnets correspond to a predetermined desired value.

Abstract: A power supply for delivering voltage for use in an internal-combustion engine includes an onboard d.c. power source; an alternator connected to the d.c. power source and having an output for supplying a normal, onboard-network voltage during engine run; a step-up transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding; and an inverter having an input connected to the d.c. power source and an output. There is further provided a change-over switch that has a first input connected to the output of the alternator, a second input connected to the output of the inverter and an output connected to the primary winding of the transformer. The change-over switch has a first switching state connecting the output of the alternator with the primary winding and a second switching state connecting the inverter with the primary winding. An rpm-responsive arrangement sets the change-over switch into the second switching state from the first switching state when the engine-rpm falls below a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: An electromagnetic circuit for controlling armature movement includes a holding magnet having a magnet yoke provided with a pole face; a solenoid connected to the magnet yoke; a movably supported armature arranged for reciprocating motion toward and away from the pole face along a motion path; an energizing arrangement for passing a current through the solenoid; a measuring pole leg attached to the magnet yoke; and a measuring pole carried by the measuring pole leg. The measuring pole is situated along the motion path of the armature and generates a signal upon passage of the armature by the measuring pole.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator operating a cylinder valve of an internal-combustion engine includes first and second spaced electromagnets having pole faces oriented toward one another; an armature arranged for reciprocating motion between the pole faces; and a connecting rod having a first rod part being in an abutting contact with a first side of the armature and being a component separate therefrom. The abutting contact is such as to prevent a torque transmission between the first rod part and the armature. The connecting rod has a second rod part which is rigidly affixed to a second side of the armature and extending towards the cylinder valve.

Abstract: A method of ascertaining the position of rest assumed by a movable armature, in response to forces of oppositely acting return springs, between two deenergized electromagnets. The method includes the following steps: measuring the inductivities of the two electromagnets; comparing the measured inductivity values to obtain a comparison value; and ascertaining the position of the armature in the position of rest between the two electromagnets from the comparison value.

Abstract: A method for a controlling cylinder valve drive in a piston-type internal combustion engine includes the steps of detecting vibration signals generated during operation by the cylinder valve drive or the cylinder valve, and actuating the cylinder valve drive in dependence on a value of the detected vibration signals which corresponds to the impact time or impact speed of the cylinder valves.

Abstract: A method of supplying driving energy to subassemblies of a vehicle having an engine, a braking system including a brake pedal, a hydraulic machine, a hydraulic accumulator and a clutch having an engaged state for connecting the engine to the hydraulic machine for driving the hydraulic machine from the engine and a disengaged state for disconnecting the engine from the hydraulic machine.

Abstract: A four-cylinder, reciprocating piston-machine includes a crankshaft having a rotary axis; a center bearing supporting the crankshaft; two outer bearings flanking the center bearing and supporting the crankshaft; and first, second, third and fourth torsion springs extending parallel to the crankshaft axis. The first and second torsion springs are parallel to and facing a first side of a reference plane containing the crankshaft axis, while the third and fourth torsion springs are parallel to and facing a second side of the reference plane. First, second, third and fourth elongated balancing masses are secured to and extending unidirectionally from respective first, second, third and fourth torsion springs toward the crankshaft in a perpendicular orientation to the crankshaft axis. The first and second balancing masses are situated at the outer bearings, while the third and fourth balancing masses are situated at the center bearing.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a cylinder valve which is actuated by an electromagnetic actuator including an electromagnet having a magnetic core presenting a pole face and a coil wound around the magnetic core, a return spring and an armature that can be moved by the electromagnet in a direction toward the pole face counter to a force of the return spring for acting upon the cylinder valve.

Abstract: A method of energy-saving regulation of the attraction of an armature of a switching magnet, particularly an electromagnet for a control element in an internal combustion engine, wherein a medium voltage U.sub.Z is formed by switching to the lowest-available supply voltage U.sub.V, the medium voltage being sufficient to regulate a current I.sub.S in order to build up the magnetic field of the electromagnet.

Abstract: An adjustment device for a cam-controlled valve operation in a piston-type internal combustion engine includes a camshaft adapted for actuating intake or exhaust valves of the piston-type internal combustion engine. The camshaft has a camshaft axis and includes an end having a guide surface. A transmission element constituting a magnetic armature is arranged for being moved back and forth in a direction of the camshaft axis. The transmission element includes an inner guide element opposite from and corresponding to the guide surface and a carrier element at a radial distance from the inner guide element that meshes with a corresponding carrier surface on a drive wheel, and is positioned for being twisted coaxially and relative to the camshaft. At least one of the guide surface on the camshaft and the carrier surface on the drive wheel is aligned in a helical shape relative to the camshaft axis.