Abstract: A method for recognizing the breakdown of an energy reserve device of at least two energy reserve devices of a device for protecting the occupants of a vehicle. The method includes: charging the at least two energy reserve devices to a test voltage level; ascertaining an ambient temperature of the at least two energy reserve devices; acquiring the (overall) capacitance of the at least two energy reserve devices; recognizing the breakdown of an energy reserve device as a function of a floating mean value, which is a function of the ascertained ambient temperature, for the (overall) capacitance and of the acquired (overall) capacitance; updating a floating mean value as a function of the ascertained ambient temperature and the acquired overall capacitance.

Abstract: A fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines which includes an elongated, axially running, thin-walled, non-magnetic sleeve. At its downstream end, the sleeve has a bottom section, which runs substantially normal to the otherwise axial extent of the sleeve along a longitudinal valve axis. A valve needle, which is securely joined to an armature and a valve-closure member, can move axially within a feed-through opening of the sleeve. The valve-closure member cooperates with a valve-seat surface provided on a valve-seat body, the valve-seat body being pressed into the sleeve and likewise abutting, for example, on the bottom section of the sleeve. The sleeve constituted as a drawn sheet-metal part extends axially over more than half of the axial length of the fuel injector. The fuel injector is suited for applications in fuel-injection systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines having externally supplied ignition.

Abstract: A fuel-injection valve, in particular, a high-pressure injection valve, for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber of a mixture-compressing internal combustion engine with externally supplied ignition is distinguished by the fact that a guide and seating area formed by three disc-shaped elements is provided at a downstream end of the valve. A swirl element is embedded between a guide element and a valve seat element. The guide element is used to guide a valve needle which passes through it and can move in the axial direction, while a valve closing segment of the valve interacts with a valve seat surface of the valve seat element. The swirl element has an inner opening area with multiple swirl channels. The three disc-shaped elements are permanently connected to each other, forming a positive-locking joint.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector for fuel-injection systems of internal combustion engines, in which is provided an elongated, axially running, thin-walled, non-magnetic sleeve (12). At its downstream end, the sleeve (12) has a bottom section (20), which runs substantially normal to the otherwise axial extent of the sleeve (12) along a longitudinal valve axis (10). A valve needle (28), which is securely joined to an armature (24) and a valve-closure member (30), can move axially within a feed-through opening (21) of the sleeve (12). The valve-closure member (30) cooperates with a valve-seat surface (35) provided on a valve-seat body (25), the valve-seat body (25) being pressed into the sleeve (12) and likewise abutting, for example, on the bottom section (20) of the sleeve (12). The sleeve (12) constituted as a drawn sheet-metal part extends axially over more than half of the axial length of the fuel injector.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated valve, includes an axially movable valve needle that includes at least one armature and one spherical valve-closure member. The armature forms a closing-member support, which receives the valve-closure member in a downstream end area. In this context, the end area encompasses the valve-closure member such that at least one channel, in direct connection with a longitudinal bore of the armature, is formed on the surface of the valve-closure member. The valve is well suited for use in fuel injection systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines having externally supplied ignition.

Abstract: When an internal combustion engine is hot, especially in hot starting or during hot idling, outgassing of fuel occurs upstream of the injection port disk and at the injection ports; as a result, because too little fuel is supplied, the running performance is undesirably impaired. The running performance of the engine is therefore intended to be improved by preventing the development of vapor bubbles. By the provision of a transfer element, in the form of a raised body shoulder formed on the valve seat body, that reduces the heat transfer between the valve seat body and the injection port disk, it is accomplished that the injection port disk cools down as a result of the extracted heat of evaporation of the injected fuel, and thus the danger of vapor bubble development at the injection ports or upstream is reduced. The fuel injection valve is especially suitable for fuel injection systems in mixture-compressing internal combustion engines with externally supplied ignition.

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for detecting the position of a movable part in a motor vehicle with a common drive for several position pickups and several paths. The individual paths are traversed at least partly consecutively over the total range so that a position signal with different resolution depending on the path can be made available. This is accomplished by means of individual paths corresponding to different places in the total range. The paths are in the form of resistance paths. The signals picked up can then be associated with electrically different paths for further processing. Paths having the same resolution are also possible.