Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine has a device for generating control commands for controlling final control elements in accordance with at least one measured value. The control device also has a communications interface for exchanging messages with a control unit for final control elements. A counter is also provided, the status of the counter being dependent on pulses of a measuring signal of an incremental crankshaft angle sensor. The control commands contain desired counter statuses for carrying out the control task. A control unit also has a counter whose counter status depends on the pulses of the measuring signal of the incremental crankshaft angle sensor. Also provided is a device for carrying out the control tasks in accordance with the counter status and the desired counter status.

Abstract: A system for controlling a vehicle drivetrain in a fuel-efficient manner includes, in one embodiment, a control computer operable to determine a number of engine load/engine speed boundary conditions as functions of brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) contours in relation to an engine output characteristics map and define therefrom an undesirable engine operation region U. As long as the engine is engaged with at least one of the gear ratios of the vehicle transmission, the control computer is operable to maintain or encourage engine operation outside of the region U. In another embodiment, the control computer is operable to define a contour from substantially zero engine load to substantially full engine load, wherein the contour preferably corresponds to a fuel-efficient path from no-load to full-load engine operating conditions. With change gear transmissions, the control computer is operable to control transmission shift points about the contour.

Abstract: A method and a device for driving at least one load, in particular a solenoid valve for controlling the injection of fuel in an internal combustion engine. Using at least one switching element, the current flowing through the load is controlled as a function of a control signal. In the presence of at least one safety signal, the load is driven such that it adopts a safe state.

Abstract: In order to provide for reduced internal combustion engine exhaust emissions when cold starting an internal combustion engine, there is provided two methods and systems for cold starting an internal combustion engine, and one method and system for shutting down an internal combustion engine. The methods and systems are directed towards: (1) a preheating of a minimum of one thermally activated sensor within an internal combustion engine prior to cold starting of the internal combustion engine; (2) an autocranking of an internal combustion engine while metering fuel into the internal combustion engine and timing ignition within the internal combustion engine such as to reduce internal combustion exhaust emissions when cold starting the internal combustion engine; and (3) a phased shut down of fuel supply control followed by ignition source control when shutting down an internal combustion engine after operating the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A spark plug having ground and center electrodes that include a firing tip formed from an alloy containing platinum, tungsten, and yttrium oxide. The firing tip can take the form of a pad, rivet, ball, wire, or other shape and can be welded in place on the electrode. The firing tip provides good erosion resistance, a reduced sparking voltage, good welding and forming characteristics, as well as a minimal occurrence of oxidation of the alloy at the weld area. Desirable ranges of the relative amounts of platinum, tungsten, and yttrium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A data estimation capability using a FNN to estimate engine state data for an engine control system is described. The data estimation capability provides for making data relating to the engine state available as control parameters in a simple, inexpensive manner. The data estimation includes using data from one or more sensors as inputs to a FNN to estimate unmeasured engine operating states. The data estimates are provided as control parameters to an engine control system. The FNN can be used to provide data estimates for engine state values (e.g. the exhaust air fuel ratio, the exhaust NOx. value, the combustion chamber temperature, etc.) that are too difficult or too expensive to measure directly. Each FNN can be configured using a genetic optimizer to select the input data used by the FNN and the coupling weights in the FNN.

Abstract: Four embodiments of fuel air injectors wherein variations in the amount of fuel discharged due to the existence of pressure variations between the injector valve and its seat in the fuel injector are minimized. This is done by provided a restricted orifice downstream of the point of fuel injection so that combustion chamber pressures are dampened from the fuel injector. In all embodiments of the invention the injector valve is a poppet valve having a configured stem portion for slideably supporting the poppet valve within the housing while permitting flow therepast. In two embodiments, the fuel is delivered to the injector above the configured portion of the poppet valve and in two embodiments the fuel is delivered below the configured portion of the poppet valve for improving responsiveness.

Abstract: In a method for setting a specifiable target speed in a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine, actuating signals for the manipulation of the throttle valve of the internal combustion engine are produced in a speed-regulating system taking into account vehicle-state and operating variables. To improve controller behaviour in partial shut-down operation, the controller output of the regulating system is passed via a metering characteristic to produce the actuating signal which manipulates the position of the throttle valve, both full operation and partial shut-down operation being assigned a respective metering characteristic. At the time of the switchover between full operation and partial shut-down operation, the controller output is first of all passed via the metering characteristic assigned to operation hitherto and then via an inverse metering characteristic assigned to subsequent operation.

Abstract: A control method for controlling injection of an engine having an oxygen concentration sensor generating a composition signal as a function of the oxygen difference in the exhaust gases with respect to the stoichiometric condition of the burnt air/fuel mixture, and a number of injectors for injecting fuel for an operating injection time in each operating state of the engine, and each of which is assigned, in each operating state of the engine, a respective calibration injection time determined at an initial engine calibration stage using a reference fuel.

Abstract: In an air intake system of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine with exhaust gas recirculation, particularly a Diesel engine, including an intake duct with a throttle valve wherein the intake duct is connected to an intake manifold of the engine and an exhaust gas recirculation conduit is connected to the intake duct downstream of the throttle valve, the throttle valve includes a valve member provided with a turbulence plate which has a diameter smaller than the valve member and extends normal to the valve member, and the valve member has passages and the turbulence member has holes for generating turbulence in the intake duct downstream of the throttle valve.

Abstract: The accelerator opening degree detection apparatus of the present invention includes: an accelerator pedal position sensor for detecting a position of an accelerator pedal; and a calculating section for calculating an accelerator opening degree based on an output of the accelerator pedal position sensor.

Abstract: In a mobile radio system which has at least two mobile radio regions (MFA, MFB), conversion of the different signaling protocols which exist in the mobile radio regions (MFA, MFB) can be obviated since, when the mobile station (MS) of the mobile subscriber is transferred from an originating mobile radio region (MFA) to a destination mobile radio region (MFB), the subscriber data which is stored in the old home register (HLRA) is transmitted to a new home register (HLRB) which is provided in the destination mobile radio region (MFB). The mobile subscriber who is transferred to the destination mobile radio region (MFB) is then served by the home register (HLRB) present there. A home register change between the mobile radio regions (MFA, MFB) consequently takes place in response to a request from the mobile subscriber, and, in combination with the retained method of visitor register interchange within the same mobile radio region (MFA or MFB), results in a highly flexible mobile radio system.

Abstract: An ignition coil for an internal combustion engine, includes a housing to be mounted in on the internal combustion engine and a coil portion dipped in an insulating oil filled in the housing. The housing is molded of a material containing any selected from the group consisting of polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylene oxide, polyarylate, polyether imide and a liquid crystal polymer, and a reinforcing filler is added to the material.

Abstract: Relative differences between cylinder torque moments are individually determined for each cylinder in a multicylinder internal combustion engine in which individual cylinders may be switched off. The torque moment differences are ascertained indirectly when the engine is subject to inner and outer resistance moments and to the inertia moments of all masses to be accelerated. Under these conditions the crankshaft r.p.m. is measured and the r.p.m. signal is split into components for the individual cylinders by applying the superposition principle of linear systems. The first r.p.m. is determined when all cylinders work. The second r.p.m. is determined with all cylinders but one working and the second r.p.m. is deducted from the first r.p.m. Gradually one cylinder after the other is switched off and the respective differences in the r.p.m. are ascertained. These r.p.m. differences are allocated to the ignition compression and are compared with a difference r.p.m. of a reference cylinder.