Abstract: A heating unit for a beverage preparation machine. The machine includes a pump for circulating a beverage preparation fluid through the machine from a fluid source to the heating unit. The heating unit is suitable for heating the fluid and includes a housing which defines a fluid heating chamber. A heating element is located inside the housing and is adapted to heat the fluid. The heating unit further includes a pre-heating tube for conveying the fluid from the pump. The pre-heating tube includes a tube inlet and a tube outlet. The tube outlet connects with the heating chamber. The pre-heating tube is located at least partly within the housing such that the heating element will at least partially heat the fluid in the pre-heating tube before the pre-heated fluid is released into the heating chamber through the outlet.

Abstract: A beverage preparation system comprising: (i) a capsule (1 1) with side (16), bottom (18) and top (14) walls, said capsule having a shape that is substantially symmetrical around a vertical axis, and said capsule is suitable for containing a beverage preparation ingredient to be dissolved, and/or infused, and/or extracted under pressure, by action of a fluid circulating into said capsule through said ingredient, (ii) a beverage preparation machine (1) suitable for receiving said capsule (11), and circulating said fluid into said capsule, (iii) optionally a capsule holder (9) for holding said capsule (1 1), at least at the time said capsule is disposed into said machine, characterized in that: the machine (1) comprises a linear barcode reader (21) suitable for reading a linear barcode sequence (25) contained in a segment S having a segment length LR, said linear barcode reader (21) being disposed in the machine such that it can read a barcode printed on the capsule while said capsule is being inserted inside s

Abstract: The present invention concerns a heating unit (100) for a beverage preparation machine (1) said machine (1) being suitable for preparing a beverage by mixing a beverage ingredient with a fluid, said machine comprising a pump for circulating said beverage preparation fluid through said machine at least from a fluid source to said heating unit, the heating unit (100) being suitable for heating said fluid and comprising: a housing (103) defining a fluid heating chamber (108), and a heating element (104) located inside said housing (103) and being adapted to heat said fluid therein, wherein the heating unit (100) further comprises a pre-heating tube (101) for conveying said fluid received from said pump through said heating unit (100), the pre-heating tube (101) comprising a tube inlet (102) and a tube outlet (107), the tube outlet (107) connecting with the heating chamber (108), and wherein the pre-heating tube (101) is located at least partly within the housing (103) in such a way that the heating element (104)

Abstract: A beverage preparation system comprising: (i) a capsule (1 1) with side (16), bottom (18) and top (14) walls, said capsule having a shape that is substantially symmetrical around a vertical axis, and said capsule is suitable for containing a beverage preparation ingredient to be dissolved, and/or infused, and/or extracted under pressure, by action of a fluid circulating into said capsule through said ingredient, (ii) a beverage preparation machine (1) suitable for receiving said capsule (11), and circulating said fluid into said capsule, (iii) optionally a capsule holder (9) for holding said capsule (1 1), at least at the time said capsule is disposed into said machine, characterized in that: the machine (1) comprises a linear barcode reader (21) suitable for reading a linear barcode sequence (25) contained in a segment S having a segment length LR, said linear barcode reader (21) being disposed in the machine such that it can read a barcode printed on the capsule while said capsule is being inserted inside s

Abstract: The invention relates to a direct-injection internal combustion engine that is operated in a first operating range associated with the low part load, with largely homogeneous combustion of the mixture and subsequent injection. Said internal combustion engine is operated in a second operating range associated with the middle part load, with low-temperature combustion of the mixture. In this way, minimum nitrogen oxide and soot emissions and a high degree of efficiency can be achieved both in the lower part load region and up to the full load region.

Abstract: A method for operating a direct injection diesel engine which is operated in a first operating region corresponding to low to medium partial load in such a way that fuel combustion takes place at a local temperature below the temperature of NOx formation and with a local air ratio above the limit value for soot formation, and where fuel injection starts in a range of between 50° to 5° crank angle before top dead center of the compression phase and where exhaust gas is recirculated at an exhaust gas recirculation rate of 50% to 70%. In order to achieve high efficiency in each operating region while keeping NOx and particulate emissions low, in a second operating region corresponding to medium partial load, fuel injection is started in a range from approximately 2° crank angle before top dead center to approximately 20° crank angle after top dead center.

Abstract: A method for operating a direct injection diesel engine which is operated in a first operating region corresponding to low to medium partial load in such a way that fuel combustion takes place at a local temperature below the temperature of NOx formation and with a local air ratio above the limit value for soot formation, and where fuel injection starts in a range of between 50° to 5° crank angle before top dead center of the compression phase and where exhaust gas is recirculated at an exhaust gas recirculation rate of 50% to 70%. In order to achieve high efficiency in each operating region while keeping NOx and particulate emissions low, in a second operating region corresponding to medium partial load, fuel injection is started in a range from approximately 2° crank angle before top dead center to approximately 20° crank angle after top dead center.