Abstract: A fuel tank system has a fuel tank and a storage element. In monitoring the fuel tank system, to check the sealing action of the fuel tank system at regular intervals during driving of the motor vehicle, a first valve is arranged in the first line upstream of the storage element as viewed in the direction of the fresh-air flow, an air pump is arranged between the first valve and the storage element, and a second valve is arranged in the second line between the storage element and the intake line. A mass flow sensor is arranged in the first line between the first valve and the storage element.

Abstract: A storage vessel for a liquid has an arrangement for measuring the electric conductivity of the liquid situated in the vessel. The arrangement has a first contact and a second contact, which are wetted by the liquid and between which the conductivity is measured. The storage vessel has a first conductor loop with a first open end coupled electrically to the first contact and a second open end coupled electrically to the second contact.

Abstract: A method for monitoring for a rupture in a storage element of a fuel tank system having a fuel tank includes: detecting, by a mass flow sensor, thermal conductivity of an unmoved air mass in a first line of the fuel tank system; and identifying a rupture in the storage element if the detecting by the mass flow sensor detects a change in the thermal conductivity of the unmoved air mass in the first line when a second valve is in a closed state and/or when an air pump is at a standstill.

Abstract: A method for producing a sensor element for a sensor for detection of substances contained in a gas flow includes: providing a ceramic carrier; and producing an open measurement electrode, arranged on the carrier and exposed to the gas flow. The open measurement electrode is produced by: a combined printing technique from a cermet base print for a base layer of a ceramic-platinum cermet, arranged on the carrier, and a platinum upper printing for a cover layer of sintered platinum arranged on the base layer.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the rotational speed of a turbocompressor, in particular a turbocharger of a motor vehicle. A frequency of pressure pulses generated in the medium the blades or by the shaft of the turbocompressor is measured using high-frequency signal portion of a pressure sensor, and the turbocompressor rotational speed is ascertained from the measured pressure pulse frequency. Furthermore, the charge pressure of the turbocompressor can be ascertained from the low-frequency signal of the pressure sensor so that a single sensor is sufficient for both measurements. The pressure sensor can be arranged in the intake system downstream of the compressor, upstream or downstream of an intercooler.

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: An active purge pump system module is provided for an evaporative emission control (EVAP) system for a vehicle. The EVAP system includes a fuel tank, a vapor collection canister in communication with the fuel tank, an air intake, and a purge valve connected between the canister and the air intake. The active purge pump system module includes a pump in fluid communication with the canister to move air independently of operation of the engine. A bypass valve assembly communicates with an upstream side and a downstream side of the pump to bypass the pump. In a closed position of the bypass valve assembly, the pump, when activated, moves purge vapor from the canister, through the purge valve, and to the engine to be consumed during combustion, and when the bypass valve assembly is opened and the pump is deactivated, vehicle refueling is permitted.

Abstract: A sensor for the measurement of the hydrocarbon content in a flow of gas in a purge line. The sensor can measure the hydrocarbon content in the flow of gas in the purge line from a hydrocarbon storage device to an internal combustion engine. The sensor has at least one heating element and at least one thermal detector, with the heating element heating the flow of gas while the thermal detector determines the temperature of the flow of gas, which temperature is evaluated as a measurement of the hydrocarbon content in the flow of gas.

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: During operation of an internal combustion engine system which has at least one sensor for measuring a hydrocarbon content of a gas stream in a line, a temperature is determined at the at least one sensor. If the temperature is greater than a prespecified temperature, the flow of gas through the line is interrupted.

Abstract: A storage vessel for a liquid has an arrangement for measuring the electric conductivity of the liquid situated in the vessel. The arrangement has a first contact and a second contact, which are wetted by the liquid and between which the conductivity is measured. The storage vessel has a first conductor loop with a first open end coupled electrically to the first contact and a second open end coupled electrically to the second contact.

Abstract: A method and a device for measuring the rotational speed of a turbocompressor, in particular a turbocharger of a motor vehicle. A frequency of pressure pulses generated in the medium the blades or by the shaft of the turbocompressor is measured using high-frequency signal portion of a pressure sensor, and the turbocompressor rotational speed is ascertained from the measured pressure pulse frequency. Furthermore, the charge pressure of the turbocompressor can be ascertained from the low-frequency signal of the pressure sensor so that a single sensor is sufficient for both measurements. The pressure sensor can be arranged in the intake system downstream of the compressor, upstream or downstream of an intercooler.

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 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: A method for operating a soot sensor that has an interdigital electrode structure, to which a measurement voltage is applied. Soot particles from an exhaust gas flow are deposited onto the interdigital electrode structure and the measurement current is evaluated as a measure of the soot load of the soot sensor. The interdigital electrode structure is burned clean at or above a predetermined soot load, which is detected by means of an upper current threshold. The method includes burning the interdigital electrode structure clean by heating up the soot sensor after the upper current threshold has been reached; monitoring the measurement current while the interdigital electrode structure is being burned clean; and stopping the burning clean when the value of the measurement current has reached a lower current threshold.

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: An internal combustion engine having a fuel tank, a fuel vapor store for storing fuel vapors that escape from the fuel tank, having a connecting line between the fuel vapor store and an air intake tract to conduct fuel vapors from the fuel vapor store into the air intake tract during a regeneration phase, a valve arranged in the connecting line, an aeration line for the fuel vapor store, and having a valve arranged in the aeration line for controlling the aeration of the fuel vapor store. A purge air pump arranged in the aeration line is integrated into the valve unit for controlling the aeration of the fuel vapor store. Effective purging or regeneration of the fuel vapor store is attained even when no negative pressure or only a low negative pressure is provided by the air intake tract.

Abstract: The tank ventilation system has an adsorption vessel, a regeneration duct and a pump. The adsorption vessel captures and temporarily stores fuel vapors emerging from a fuel tank. A purge air flow can flow through the adsorption vessel. The regeneration duct connects the adsorption vessel to an intake duct. In the regeneration duct there is arranged a pump designed to draw the purge air out of the adsorption vessel and admix the purge air to intake air in the intake duct. A density of the purge air which that flows in the regeneration duct is determined. Furthermore, a purge air mass flow flowing in the regeneration duct is determined as a function of the density of the purge air and a predefined pump characteristic of the pump.

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 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.