Abstract: A method for analyzing a fluid that flows from a chamber, in particular a combustion chamber, of an internal combustion engine into a fluid guide. The internal combustion engine includes at least one element, in particular an injector, for the supply of fuel. The analysis takes place with the aid of a sensor, in particular a lambda sensor, on which the fluid in the fluid guide acts. The analysis takes place during cranking of the internal combustion engine, and the fluid acting on the sensor is not influenced by fuel that is supplied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a fluid that flows from a chamber, in particular a combustion chamber, of an internal combustion engine into a fluid guide. The internal combustion engine includes at least one element, in particular an injector, for the supply of fuel. The analysis takes place with the aid of a sensor, in particular a lambda sensor, on which the fluid in the fluid guide acts. The analysis takes place during cranking of the internal combustion engine, and the fluid acting on the sensor is not influenced by fuel that is supplied in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A method for reducing the pollutant emissions in the exhaust gas in a start/catalytic converter heating phase of an internal combustion engine featuring externally supplied ignition and having at least one catalytic converter in an exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine, and for adapting a catalytic converter heating strategy to suitable state variables of the internal combustion engine and the catalytic converter as well as to the fuel quantity, the aging state and ambient conditions. The internal combustion engine is operated in a first phase of the start/catalytic converter heating phase using a lean air-fuel mixture in a range between a lambda value of 1.05 and at a lean misfire limit of the internal combustion engine that lies at a higher lambda value, and/or in a second phase of the start/catalytic converter heating phase, initially using a rich air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine includes: a sensor system on a gas exchange valve which has a valve head situated at a first end of a valve stem; a lever element which engages at a second end of the valve stem and which is designed to actuate the gas exchange valve by displacing the valve head; a detection element which, upon actuation of the gas exchange valve, is displaced along a displacement path; and a sensor device configured to ascertain a position of the detection element. The sensor device is situated in such a way that the detection element, during a displacement along a portion of the displacement path, moves predominantly in a movement toward the sensor device or away from the same, thereby providing a measurement of valve timing of the gas exchange valve.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine includes: a sensor system on a gas exchange valve which has a valve head situated at a first end of a valve stem; a lever element which engages at a second end of the valve stem and which is designed to actuate the gas exchange valve by displacing the valve head; a detection element which, upon actuation of the gas exchange valve, is displaced along a displacement path; and a sensor device configured to ascertain a position of the detection element. The sensor device is situated in such a way that the detection element, during a displacement along a portion of the displacement path, moves predominantly in a movement toward the sensor device or away from the same, thereby providing a measurement of valve timing of the gas exchange valve.

Abstract: A method for reducing the pollutant emissions in the exhaust gas in a start/catalytic converter heating phase of an internal combustion engine featuring externally supplied ignition and having at least one catalytic converter in an exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine, and for adapting a catalytic converter heating strategy to suitable state variables of the internal combustion engine and the catalytic converter as well as to the fuel quantity, the aging state and ambient conditions. The internal combustion engine is operated in a first phase of the start/catalytic converter heating phase using a lean air-fuel mixture in a range between a lambda value of 1.05 and at a lean misfire limit of the internal combustion engine that lies at a higher lambda value, and/or in a second phase of the start/catalytic converter heating phase, initially using a rich air-fuel mixture.