Abstract: The invention is based on a sliding valve (10) having a sliding sleeve (12) which is axially displaceable in a control cylinder (13) and which controls, with at least one control face (23) on its outer periphery, at least one control opening (17, 18) in the control cylinder (13) out. It is proposed that the control face (23) is radially elastically flexible in the direction of the control cylinder (13).

Abstract: In a method of operating a diesel internal combustion engine, wherein a homogeneous mixture is formed in the combustion space before a spontaneous ignition by means of fuel injected directly into separately supplied combustion air, which combustion air is admitted to the combustion space in a swirling flow about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder that can be adjusted as regards its swirl intensity by a control element. A control unit adjusts the swirl intensity in a manner coordinated with the injection parameters to provide a homogeneous mixture igniting at a predetermined point for highly effective engine operation with low emissions.

Abstract: In a method of operating a diesel internal combustion engine, wherein a homogeneous mixture being formed in the combustion space before a spontaneous ignition by means of fuel injected directly and separately supplied combustion air, the combustion air is admitted to the combustion space in a swirling flow about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder that can be adjusted as regards its swirl intensity by a control element. A control unit adjusts the swirl intensity in a manner coordinated with the injection parameters to provide a homogeneous mixture for highly effective engine operation with low emissions.

Abstract: A method for evaluating an ion current signal of a self-igniting internal combustion engine, with the ignition shift being derived from the time shift of the local maximum in the curve of the ion current signal relative to an injection point in time. Similarly, continuous injection in a cylinder can be detected when the ion current signal is integrated and evaluated in terms of area and/or when the position and/or height of the maximum of the ion current signal are evaluated. Carbon formation can be detected by an evaluation of the time curve of the ion current signal following an injection. For example, the parameters of the main injection can be controlled as a function of an evaluation of the measured ion current following a preinjection. When a continuous injection is detected, injection can be suppressed at least in those cylinders in which continuous injection was detected.