Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an electromechanical valve train, in which the valve control device houses not only the output stage for the ignition system and the output stage for the fuel injection system. The valve control device can rapidly prevent the ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder affected by the valve failure of an electromechanically actuated valve. Moreover, all output stages important for the thermal combustion process are combined in one control device, which is advantageously connected to a water-cooling system.

Abstract: In the event of a failure or a disruption of an exchange of data between a valve control unit and an operational control unit of an internal combustion engine with electromechanically activated inlet valves, a valve control unit switches over the electromagnetic activation of the inlet valves to full-load control times. The operational control unit suitably sets a throttle valve in order to cause the load control of the internal combustion engine no longer to be performed by the valve load control but rather by the throttle-valve load control in the emergency operating mode.

Abstract: In order to control electromechanically activated charge cycle valves, a circuit is provided in which placement control elements actuate an output stage for the electromechanically activated charge cycle valves and control a gentle placement of the charge cycle valves in a respective end position. For the purpose of communication with the operational control unit of the internal combustion engine, a digital communications computer is provided which provides the placement control element with timing signals. As a result, the placement control elements are freed of communications functions and can be dedicated to performing the placement control in real time.

Abstract: In order to avoid an undesired and damaging ignition in the case of the failure of a valve in an internal combustion engine with electromechanical valve drive, a control device interrupts the injection and/or the ignition for at least the cylinder in question when such a failure of a valve is detected by the control device.

Abstract: In order to control electromechanically activated charge cycle valves, a circuit is provided in which placement control elements actuate an output stage for the electromechanically activated charge cycle valves and control a gentle placement of the charge cycle valves in a respective end position. For the purpose of communication with the operational control unit of the internal combustion engine, a digital communications computer is provided which provides the placement control element with timing signals. As a result, the placement control elements are freed of communications functions and can be dedicated to performing the placement control in real time.

Abstract: In the event of a failure or a disruption of an exchange of data between a valve control unit and an operational control unit of an internal combustion engine with electromechanically activated inlet valves, a valve control unit switches over the electromagnetic activation of the inlet valves to full-load control times. The operational control unit suitably sets a throttle valve in order to cause the load control of the internal combustion engine no longer to be performed by the valve load control but rather by the throttle-valve load control in the emergency operating mode.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an electromechanical valve train, in which the valve control device houses not only the output stage for the ignition system and the output stage for the fuel injection system. The valve control device can rapidly prevent the ignition of the air/fuel mixture in the cylinder affected by the valve failure of an electromechanically actuated valve. Moreover, all output stages important for the thermal combustion process are combined in one control device, which is advantageously connected to a water-cooling system.

Abstract: In order to avoid an undesired and damaging ignition in the case of the failure of a valve in an internal combustion engine with electromechanical valve drive, a control device interrupts the injection and/or the ignition for at least the cylinder in question when such a failure of a valve is detected by the control device.

Abstract: The energy conversion during a combustion process is computed from the body sound signal of the internal combustion engine according to a theoretical model, and from it the amount of fuel delivered is derived. If the computed amount of fuel differs from the predetermined amount of fuel, a malfunction of the fuel injection system is recognized.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders to which in each case at least one inlet valve and one outlet valve are assigned. A valve drive is assigned for controlling the inlet valve and a valve drive is assigned for controlling the outlet valve. The valve control time for the inlet valve of a cylinder is calculated at least one segment later than the valve control time for the outlet valve of the same cylinder. The segment is determined by the phase angle between the upper dead centers of two pistons of cylinders which follow one another directly in the ignition sequence.

Abstract: An estimated value is calculated for a disturbing force which occurs as a result of the gas forces acting on the gas exchange valve immediately prior to the opening of the latter. The time profile of the disturbing force resulting at the gas exchange valve after the commencement of opening is estimated from a response of a transfer member to a jump in the disturbing force from the estimated valve to a predetermined value. An actuating signal for the actuator drive is determined as a function of the time profile of the disturbing force.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an intake tract, at least one cylinder, an exhaust gas tract and inlet and outlet valves, which are assigned to the cylinder. An exhaust gas pressure in the cylinder is determined during the valve overlap of the inlet and outlet valves as a function of an estimated value of an exhaust gas pressure, which is effected by the combustion of an air/fuel mixture in the cylinder, and a variable which characterizes the centroid of the valve overlap of the inlet and outlet valves. At least one actuating signal for controlling an actuator of the internal combustion engine is derived from the exhaust gas pressure, or the internal combustion engine is monitored as a function of the exhaust gas pressure.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an intake tract, at least one cylinder, an exhaust gas tract and inlet and outlet valves, which are assigned to the cylinder. An exhaust gas pressure in the cylinder is determined during the valve overlap of the inlet and outlet valves as a function of an estimated value of an exhaust gas pressure, which is effected by the combustion of an air/fuel mixture in the cylinder, and a variable which characterizes the centroid of the valve overlap of the inlet and outlet valves. At least one actuating signal for controlling an actuator of the internal combustion engine is derived from the exhaust gas pressure, or the internal combustion engine is monitored as a function of the exhaust gas pressure.

Abstract: An estimated value is calculated for a disturbing force which occurs as a result of the gas forces acting on the gas exchange valve immediately prior to the opening of the latter. The time profile of the disturbing force resulting at the gas exchange valve after the commencement of opening is estimated from a response of a transfer member to a jump in the disturbing force from the estimated valve to a predetermined value. An actuating signal for the actuator drive is determined as a function of the time profile of the disturbing force.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a pressure sensor, which determines a pressure in a pressure accumulator regulated by a pressure actuator, includes the steps of calculating an expected pressure value in the pressure accumulator for a given point in time based on a holding pressure preset by the pressure actuator and based on a detected rate of change in a mass balance of a medium contained in the pressure accumulator. A pressure value in the pressure accumulator is determined with the pressure sensor at the given point in time. The expected pressure value is compared with the determined pressure value and a malfunction in the pressure sensor is detected if the pressure values deviate from each other beyond a predetermined value. A device for monitoring a pressure sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A method for the closed-loop control of a nonlinear controlled system in which a state variable of the controlled system is determined and an actuating value is determined using a control method and a reference variable. In addition, by using the state variable of the controlled system, a correction value is read from a linearization characteristic curve and multiplied by the actuating value and the product is specified as new desired value for the controlled system. The linearization characteristic curve is chosen in such a way that multiplication of the linearization characteristic curve by the nonlinear control action of the controlled system yields a linear control action.

Abstract: A method of starting an internal combustion engine having an injection system and characteristic variables includes the steps of supplying an injection system with an operating parameter that is determined from characteristic variables, supplying a speed regulator with an initialization value as an initial starting variable, and regulating a speed of an internal combustion engine up to an idling speed with the speed regulator based upon the initialization value. The acceleration to idling speed is carried out with the aid of the speed regulator based on the initialization value. The injection system is supplied with a mass of fuel to be injected. Regulation is carried out with a speed regulator already present in an engine controller. The initialization value is stored in a characteristic curve as a function of coolant temperature. The initialization value is applied to a first injection operation of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling a pressure regulating valve is described. An actuating value with which the pressure regulating valve is driven is determined from a pilot control value and a controller action which depend on an actual value and a desired value of a controlled variable. In the event of a change in the desired variable, the controller action is limited to a limiting value that preferably depends on the pilot control value.

Abstract: A method for regulating the smooth running of a multicylinder internal combustion engine. An inverse linear path model estimates a characteristic process variable from state variables of the internal combustion engine, that is to say actual values, in particular engine speed, fuel quantity, operating temperature, charging pressure, etc. A desired value is compared with the actual value that is determined from state variables of the internal combustion engine by a measuring element. The actual value shows the rotational acceleration contribution of each cylinder. The difference between the actual value and the desired value is supplied to a controller that corrects the combustion in the individual cylinders in such a way that the actual value approaches the desired value. This ensures that the regulation for the smooth running of the engine takes effect both for stationary and non-stationary operating phases of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a fuel pressure uses a trigger value or components of the trigger value, with which a pressure adjusting member is triggered. A pressure drop is detected if the trigger value or components thereof deviate from a value typical for that operating point.