Abstract: A method for operating a sensor for recording particles in an exhaust gas flow and a device for carrying out the method are provided, in which at least one measure of the exhaust gas flow is ascertained and in which the measure of the exhaust gas flow is taken into consideration in the valuation of the particle sensor signal made available by the particle sensor. The procedure is based on the knowledge that the exhaust gas flow, for instance, the exhaust gas volume flow, has an influence on the particle sensor signal made available by the particle sensor, especially when the measuring effect is based on the depositing of particles on a sensor surface. Using the procedure, a possibly present cross sensitivity of the particle sensor with respect to different exhaust gas flows is taken into consideration, so that the measuring accuracy is increased.

Abstract: A method for operating a sensor for recording particles in an exhaust gas flow and a device for carrying out the method are provided, in which at least one measure of the exhaust gas flow is ascertained and in which the measure of the exhaust gas flow is taken into consideration in the valuation of the particle sensor signal made available by the particle sensor. The procedure is based on the knowledge that the exhaust gas flow, for instance, the exhaust gas volume flow, has an influence on the particle sensor signal made available by the particle sensor, especially when the measuring effect is based on the depositing of particles on a sensor surface. Using the procedure, a possibly present cross sensitivity of the particle sensor with respect to different exhaust gas flows is taken into consideration, so that the measuring accuracy is increased.

Abstract: A method for controlling a common rail injection system for turbochargeable internal combustion engines, in particular diesel engines, in which in a first steady-state or quasi-steady state load condition of the internal combustion engine, a rail pressure is established as a function of the injection volume in accordance with a first characteristic curve, the rail pressure being established in a second, non-steady-state load condition of the internal combustion engine, in particular at non-steady-state full load, as a function of the injection volume in accordance with a second characteristic curve, the rail pressure in the case of the non-steady-state load condition being elevated in each case with respect to the rail pressure in the presence of the steady-state or quasi-steady-state load condition, with an identical injection volume.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting fuel into combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine, in which the total injection quantity for the engine is split into a main injection quantity and a small postinjection quantity, the latter being closely coupled to the end of the main injection quantity and being injected with the same fuel pressure as the main injection quantity. This reduces soot emissions at otherwise identical engine operating parameters. Because of the interaction among soot emissions, NO.sub.x emissions and specific consumption, the postinjection, while soot and NO.sub.x emissions are kept the same, can also be employed to lower the specific consumption of the engine.