Abstract: It is proposed that a quantity of heat input fed with the exhaust gas to the light-off area (8) during hot running up to a point in time be used as a criterion for successive conversion (light-off) in the downstream consecutive subvolumes (8a) of the light-off area (8) and that the functional capabilities of at least one of the downstream subvolumes (8a) heated consecutively be tested and evaluated individually at any moment of the light-off. The local variation of the catalytic converter efficiency can thus be monitored in the light-off area (8).

Abstract: Parameters of an actuation distance model are adapted for an exhaust turbocharger actuator. For this, in the stationary or quasi-stationary operating state of the internal combustion engine, a first actuator is activated in the exhaust tract. The parameters of the actuation distance model are adapted on the basis of a comparison of the actual and target values for a modified state variable at the turbine. The change brought about by activation of the first actuator is compensated by activation of a second actuator in the fresh air tract.

Abstract: An electrical booster in an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas turbocharger is activated so that the electrical booster is connected with the minimum possible power consumption. The connection of the electric booster depends on the power balance, the electric booster being activated when the instantaneously available compressor power of the exhaust gas turbocharger is insufficient to provide the necessary power.

Abstract: An electrical booster in an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas turbocharger is activated so that the electrical booster is connected with the minimum possible power consumption. The connection of the electric booster depends on the power balance, the electric booster being activated when the instantaneously available compressor power-of the exhaust gas turbocharger is insufficient to provide the necessary power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for electrohydraulic valve lift switching with a hydraulically activatable actuating element for bringing about valve lift switching, which is connected to an oil line, whereby the action of pressurized oil on the actuating element can be controlled by an on/off valve arranged in the oil line and connected to a control device. The invention has an oil pressure metering device arranged in the oil line, which is connected to the control device, and a device for detecting the time period between activation of the on/off valve by the control device and a characteristic change in the measured oil pressure.

Abstract: It is proposed that a quantity of heat input fed with the exhaust gas to the light-off area (8) during hot running up to a point in time be used as a criterion for successive conversion (light-off) in the downstream consecutive subvolumes (8a) of the light-off area (8) and that the functional capabilities of at least one of the downstream subvolumes (8a) heated consecutively be tested and evaluated individually at any moment of the light-off. The local variation of the catalytic converter efficiency can thus be monitored in the light-off area (8).

Abstract: For an effectively working regulation of the combustion process in the HCCI mode, a modeled combustion process, to be described by internal variables of state, is formed by using process-influencing variables. Output variables of the actual and modeled combustion process are then used to regulate the process-influencing variables.

Abstract: In a two-stage concept for supercharging of internal combustion engines, in which the first stage is performed by an exhaust-gas turbocharger and the second stage by an electrically driven compressor, the compressor is also used to provide the secondary air used for the heating of a catalytic converter. In this manner, the catalytic converter quickly reaches an efficient operating temperature.

Abstract: In a two-stage concept for supercharging of internal combustion engines, in which the first stage is performed by an exhaust-gas turbocharger and the second stage by an electrically driven compressor, the compressor is also used to provide the secondary air used for the heating of a catalytic converter. In this manner, the catalytic converter quickly reaches an efficient operating temperature.