Abstract: A method and a control unit are disclosed for controlling a single-cylinder or multiple-cylinder internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injector per cylinder, at least one camshaft for actuating inlet valves and/or outlet valves, and having a control unit which controls the fuel injectors in such a way that they inject in each case one fuel pre-injection per cylinder during a starting phase of the internal combustion engine. In order to make an improved pre-injection strategy possible during the starting phase, according to the invention at least one cylinder pressure signal which is supplied by a cylinder pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in a cylinder is evaluated with regard to interference signals, and the evaluation result is taken into consideration at least during the starting phase in a determination of the camshaft angle.

Abstract: A pressure regulator can be used particularly in a CNG-operated motor vehicle as an electronically controlled pressure reducer for maintaining the gas pressure constant on the injection valve used for filling the respective cylinder. The pressure regulator is composed of a control unit (1), a pressure reducer (3) that is controlled by the control unit (1), and a throttle (2) which connects the gas outlets (20, 40) of the working chamber (17) of the control unit (1) and the pressure reducer (3). A piezoelectric actuator (11) which affects the valve (21, 22) of an overflow device (14) makes it possible to specifically modify the gas pressure (P2) in the working chamber (17) of the control unit (1) and simultaneously influence the position of the valve (38, 39) of the overflow device (33) of the pressure reducer (3), thus allowing the output pressure (Pout) of the pressure reducer (3) to be adjusted to a predefined desired value.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that prevent sticking of a valve pin in a valve seat of an injector at low temperatures can be provided providing an engine control unit and an additional control device, wherein the engine control unit activates the additional control device, and activate the injector by the additional control device in such a way that the injector by moving its valve pin is heated and/or rendered viable.

Abstract: The invention relates to an operating method and to a device for a gas-driven internal combustion engine. According to the invention, the pressure in a gas injection system is adapted to the operational state of the internal combustion engine. A higher pressure is adjusted in the gas injection system during a higher charge of the internal combustion engine. Said higher pressure enables a higher volume flow through the gas injection valves associated with the gas injection system. The power produced by the internal combustion engine can be optimized. A lower pressure in the gas injection system is adjusted in the event of a lower charge or if the internal combustion engine is switched off. The lower pressure emits lower pollutant emissions which are produced by the internal combustion engine. The invention is characterized by a bi-directional interface between a control device and a pressure reducer or pressure controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling an injection of an internal combustion engine. The invention provides that after the internal combustion engine is started, the injection and/or the ignition is carried out according to a signal of an absolute position sensor device, particularly according to an absolute position sensor of a camshaft or according to an absolute position sensor of a crankshaft and to an angular range sensor. When a synchronization signal is detected by a sensor wheel of the crankshaft, the following control processes are carried out according to the synchronization signal, i.e. according to the position of the crankshaft. The inventive method is advantageous in that immediately after the internal combustion engine is started, a relatively precise signal for controlling the injection and/or the ignition is available. This enables a more precise combustion shortly after the internal combustion engine is started.

Abstract: During the starting phase of an internal combustion engine with fuel injection so-called pilot injectors (I) are used to establish a film on the cylinder walls and at the same time to provide an ignitable mixture for the first combustion. At this point in time the cam shaft and the crankshaft are not yet synchronized and the position of the pistons is unknown. The method according to the invention allows determination of the sequence of the pilot injectors (I) depending on the possible relative positions during the stop periods of the internal combustion engine, said positions being known beforehand.

Abstract: A wall film can form around a temperature sensor as a result of the temperature sensor being fitted in the intake port of the internal combustion engine, in such a manner that at least some of the fuel jet from the injection valve is sprayed onto it. The reduction in temperature that occurs as a result of the enthalpy of vaporization at the temperature sensor is measured and used as a criterion for determining the quality of the fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine. This information can be used to correct the change in injection time exclusively or in addition to adapting the starting quantity and/or using the lack-of-smoothness method.

Abstract: A correction factor takes into account the possible change in the quality of the fuel fed to an internal combustion engine between shut-down and restarting of the internal combustion engine. The correction factor is applied to the basic injection time period in the internal combustion engine. The correction factor is weighted with a weighting factor that is selected as a function of the filling level of a fuel reservoir container holding the fuel when the internal combustion engine is shut down, and of the filling level when the internal combustion engine is restarted.