Abstract: A method for operating a soot sensor in the exhaust gas tract of an internal combustion engine. The soot sensor includes an inter-digital electrode structure to which a measurement voltage is applied. Soot particles from the exhaust gas flow deposit themselves on the inter-digital electrode structure and an measuring current is evaluated as a measurement for the soot concentration of the soot sensor. A heating element for burning clean the inter-digital electrode structure is provided. The method for operating the soot sensor has good measurement results and the shortest possible idle time. To this end, a point in time for burning clean the soot sensor is determined in accordance with the operational state of the internal combustion engine and then, the burning clean of the inter-digital electrode structure starts by heating the soot sensor by the heating element.

Abstract: A method for on-vehicle functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the soot sensor connected electrically to an evaluation circuit. To specify a method for functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot, by which it is possible to detect a faulty soot sensor and/or further components in the soot in an economical manner, the evaluation circuit measures a temperature coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the faultiness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further components in the soot from the temperature coefficient of the soot sensor.

Abstract: A magnetized nut for fastening a compressor wheel of an exhaust turbocharger to a turbo shaft. The nut has a base body made of a non-magnetic material forming a hollow space for accommodating a magnetic material, and a method for the production of the magnetized nut. In order to provide a magnetized nut that is produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and ensures as equal a distribution of mass as possible with regard to the rotational axis of the nut, the magnetic material is introduced into the hollow space using injection molding.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a soot sensor that lies in an exhaust gas system of an internal combustion engine. First, a first temperature in the exhaust gas system is detected, and it is determined whether the detected first temperature is below a 100° C. If this is the case, a first measured value is then detected with the soot sensor and compared with a specifiable threshold value. If the first measured value exceeds the specifiable threshold value, the soot sensor is determined to be operating properly.

Abstract: A particle sensor arranged in an exhaust duct such that particles from the exhaust-gas flow accumulate on and/or between at least two sensor electrodes when a voltage greater than a limit voltage is applied between the two sensor electrodes and substantially no particles accumulate if the voltage is lower than the limit voltage. During a first time period, a first voltage greater than the limit voltage is applied between the sensor electrodes. During a second time period, a second voltage, lower than the limit voltage, is applied between the sensor electrodes, and/or the particle sensor is heated to a predefined temperature, such that substantially no particles accumulate on and/or between the at least two sensor electrodes. Following the second time period, a third voltage greater than the limit voltage is applied between the sensor electrodes.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the soot load in the exhaust gas systems of diesel engines using a sensor which is mounted downstream of a particulate filter and comprises a sensor element, to measure the operability of the particulate filter. According to the method, the soot load of the sensor element is measured resistively or capacitively using electrodes. The measuring voltage of the sensor element is controlled depending on at least one actual operating parameter of the diesel engine.

Abstract: A compressor casing for an exhaust gas turbocharger is disclosed. The exhaust gas turbocharger has a rotatable turboshaft, a compressor wheel mounted on the turboshaft, and a turbine wheel mounted on the turboshaft. The compressor casing includes a sensor for measuring a rotational speed of the turboshaft. The sensor is embedded in the compressor casing and forms an integral component of the compressor casing.

Abstract: Presented is a method for continuously determining the tensile force F in a cable of a parking brake that includes transmitting the tensile force F to a cable grommet coupled to a first end of an expandable intermediate part that includes a magnet and/or a magnetic sensor. The first end of the expandable intermediate part faces away from a drive spindle coupled to a second end of the expandable intermediate part. The method further includes changing the length of the expandable intermediate part in the direction of its longitudinal axis in response to the transmitted tensile force F, moving the magnet and the magnetic sensor relative to each other in response to the change in length, changing the signal voltage of the magnetic sensor in response to the relative movement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor, and determining the tensile force F from the respective signal voltage.

Abstract: A soot sensor for the detection of soot particles in an exhaust gas flow, having interdigitally engaged measurement electrodes applied on a substrate. An electrical resistance between the measurement electrodes is a measure of soot load of the exhaust gas flow. The measurement electrodes are divided into two regions, a first region in which no soot particles can be deposited and a second region where soot particles are deposited from the exhaust gas flow. The first region and the second region are exposed simultaneously to the other conditions prevailing in the exhaust gas flow.

Abstract: A level sensor includes a base unit with a cavity. A first axial end of the cavity is adapted to hydraulically communicate with a fluid reservoir. A second axial end of the cavity is adapted to hydraulically couple to a fluid reservoir. A heating element is disposed in a wall of the cavity. A first electrode and a second electrode are disposed at the base unit such that an electric capacitance formed between the first electrode and the second electrode is representative of the level in the fluid reservoir.

Abstract: A method for performing on-board functional diagnostics on a soot sensor of a vehicle and/or for detecting further components in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The soot sensor is electrically connected to an evaluation circuit with is permanently installed in the motor vehicle. In order to specify a method for performing functional diagnostics on a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot, with which method it is possible to detect a faulty soot sensor and/or further components in the soot in a cost-effective way, the evaluation circuit measures the temperature coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the defectiveness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further components in the soot on the basis of the temperature coefficient of the soot sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an active sensor element for recording the speed of an exhaust gas turbocharger, comprising a suppressor circuit which has at least one diode. In order to specify a device for temperature measurement at the turbocharger and in particular at the turbocharger in the region of the active sensor, the current-voltage characteristics of the diode are evaluated for determining the temperature in the sensor element.

Abstract: A method for on-vehicle functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine, the soot sensor connected electrically to an evaluation circuit. To specify a method for functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and/or for detecting further components in the soot, by which it is possible to detect a faulty soot sensor and/or further components in the soot in an economical manner, the evaluation circuit measures a temperature coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the faultiness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further components in the soot from the temperature coefficient of the soot sensor.

Abstract: A method for the on-board functional diagnosis of a soot sensor and detection of further constituents in the soot in a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine. The soot sensor is connected electrically to an evaluation circuit in the motor vehicle. A faulty soot sensor and/or further constituents in the soot can be detected in an inexpensive way. The evaluation circuit measures the voltage coefficient of the soot sensor and detects the defectiveness of the soot sensor and/or the presence of further constituents in the soot using the voltage coefficient of the soot sensor.

Abstract: A diagnostic method is provided for a particle filter arranged in exhaust-gas flow of an internal combustion engine. A particle concentration is detected by a particle sensor positioned downstream of the particle filter. The combustion-relevant engine parameters are briefly changed by an engine controller in such a way that an untreated emissions concentration from the engine is significantly increased. A filter fault message is output if the detected associated measurement values of the particle concentration exceed a detection threshold value of the particle sensor, which is in particular considerably greater than a predefined, preferably volume-related particle limit value.

Abstract: Presented is a method for continuously determining the tensile force F in a cable of a parking brake that includes transmitting the tensile force F to a cable grommet coupled to a first end of an expandable intermediate part that includes a magnet and/or a magnetic sensor. The first end of the expandable intermediate part faces away from a drive spindle coupled to a second end of the expandable intermediate part. The method further includes changing the length of the expandable intermediate part in the direction of its longitudinal axis in response to the transmitted tensile force F, moving the magnet and the magnetic sensor relative to each other in response to the change in length, changing the signal voltage of the magnetic sensor in response to the relative movement between the magnet and the magnetic sensor, and determining the tensile force F from the respective signal voltage.

Abstract: An element which generates a magnetic field for securing a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, includes a base body that receives an annular-shaped magnet that rotates with the turboshaft. In order to provide an element which generates a magnetic field for securing a compressor wheel to a turboshaft of an exhaust-gas turbocharger, where the magnet is securely fixed and no change in the distribution of mass in the magnetic field occurs even when the magnet breaks, the magnet is connected in a force-fitting manner to the base body.

Abstract: A magnetized nut for fastening a compressor wheel of an exhaust turbocharger to a turbo shaft. The nut has a base body made of a non-magnetic material forming a hollow space for accommodating a magnetic material, and a method for the production of the magnetized nut. In order to provide a magnetized nut that is produced in a simple and cost-effective manner and ensures as equal a distribution of mass as possible with regard to the rotational axis of the nut, the magnetic material is introduced into the hollow space using injection molding.

Abstract: An element for generating a magnetic field, having an annular frame for receiving an annular magnet which rotates with a turboshaft. The magnet is mounted in the frame such that the frame stabilizes and guides the magnet mechanically. In order to specify an element for generating a magnetic field which reliably fixes and guides the magnet, the magnet is connected to the frame by at least one spot weld.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring a normal force affecting a disk brake that is used particularly in motor vehicles. In order to further develop a device for measuring an effective normal force so as to significantly decrease the additional mounting space required in the area of a disk brake and reduce sensitivity to thermal influences, a shearing movement of a part of the disk brake relative to a reference is detected by a sensor such that a test signal-processing logic circuit can draw conclusions about an actually effective normal force based on a sensor test signal.