Abstract: The invention relates to a water-based biodegradable and non-toxic functional fluid for mechanical drives, preferably for use in steam engines. The object of providing such functional fluids for use in mechanical drives, particularly for the hydrodynamic lubrication of plain bearings, preferably for crankshafts of superheated steam engines, having customary bearing play which is not overly precise, is achieved. It should be capable of being used in closed power plant systems also at sump temperatures higher than 120° C., e.g. in the crankcase under a crank shaft, and should be water-based or water-dilutable. According to the invention, this is achieved by addition of a low percentage of polyaspartic acid to water or to water/glycol mixtures, preferably polyaspartic acid having a molar mass of from greater than 1 000 to 10 000 g/mol being used.

Abstract: The invention relates to a water-based biodegradable functional fluid for mechanical drives, preferably for use in steam engines. The aim of the invention is to create functional fluids for use in mechanical drives, particularly for hydrodynamically lubricating plain bearings, preferably for crankshafts of superheated steam engines having customary non-overly precise bearing play. The inventive fluids should be able to be used in closed power pack systems also in the existence of sump temperatures exceeding 120 ° C., e.g. in the lubricant pan located under a crank drive and be water-based or able to be diluted with water. According to the invention, this is achieved by a percentually low addition of polyaspartic acid to water or to water-glycol mixtures, whereby polyaspartic acid having a molar mass greater than 1,000 and up to 10,000 g/mol is preferably used.

Abstract: The invention relates to pairs of sliding elements for machine parts exposed to high-pressure and high-temperature steam, preferably piston-cylinder arrangements for steam engines.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the parameters of an internal combustion engine, in particular an Otto engine operating with gaseous fuels, has at least one optical sensor for observing the emission of light caused by the combustion in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and at least one photodetector for converting the light emitted into electric signals which are processed in an evaluation unit. In order to achieve a rapid and accurate regulation, the evaluation unit has an arrangement for determining the maximum or mean intensity of the light emitted during each combustion cycle on the basis of the corresponding electric signal. The evaluation unit further has a regulating unit which regulates at least one engine parameter depending on the intensity maxima.

Abstract: An arrangement for determining the parameters of an internal combustion engine, in particular an Otto engine operating with gaseous fuels, has at least one optical sensor for observing the emission of light caused by the combustion in a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine and at least one photodetector for converting the light emitted into electric signals which are processed in an evaluation unit. In order to achieve a rapid and accurate regulation, the evaluation unit has an arrangement for determining the maximum or mean intensity of the light emitted during each combustion cycle on the basis of the corresponding electric signal. The evaluation unit further has a regulating unit which regulates at least one engine parameter depending on the intensity maxima.