Abstract: A method of evaluating a structural integrity of an aerial vehicle comprising one or more engines comprises selectively driving said engine/s of said aerial vehicle according to a driving pattern unsuitable to put or maintain the aerial vehicle in flight, recording a vibrational response of at least a part of the aerial vehicle to said selective driving of said engine/s, determining a plurality of modal parameters of said vibrational response, in particular an eigenfrequency of said vibrational response and/or a damping factor corresponding to said eigenfrequency, and classifying said structural integrity based on a deviation of said plurality of modal parameters from baseline modal parameters for said aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a structural integrity of an aerial vehicle comprising one or more engines comprises selectively driving said engine/s of said aerial vehicle according to a driving pattern unsuitable to put or maintain the aerial vehicle in flight, recording a vibrational response of at least a part of the aerial vehicle to said selective driving of said engine/s, determining a plurality of modal parameters of said vibrational response, in particular an eigenfrequency of said vibrational response and/or a damping factor corresponding to said eigenfrequency, and classifying said structural integrity based on a deviation of said plurality of modal parameters from baseline modal parameters for said aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A photoacoustic detector includes an emitter, an acoustic resonator having a single-pass cavity with a transparent wall, and an acoustic sensor. The emitter is arranged adjacent to the transparent wall and is configured to emit modulated electromagnetic radiation that enters the acoustic resonator through the transparent wall in a direction that intersects with a longitudinal axis of the cavity.

Abstract: A tank ventilation system includes a flushing line, off which a bypass branches and into which the bypass opens out. A sensor is arranged in the flushing line bypass to determine a concentration of hydrocarbons in a fluid in the flushing line. A hydrocarbon tank is coupled via a first connector to a first end of the flushing line and designed for coupling, via a second coupling, to a tank.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a fuel portion in a motor oil of a motor vehicle. The motor oil is brought between at least two electrodes forming a capacitor. The capacitance of the capacitor is determined while the motor oil is located between the electrodes, and the fuel portion in the motor oil is determined from the capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: A tank ventilation system having an intake tract, the tank ventilation system including a hydrocarbon reservoir, a sensor, and a valve. The valve and the sensor are arranged in a fluid line that couples the hydrocarbon reservoir to the intake tract. The sensor captures a hydrocarbon concentration of a fluid in the fluid line. A captured value of the hydrocarbon concentration is measured using the sensor. When the open valve, a mass flow of the fluid flowing through the fluid line into the intake tract is captured or determined. An air/fuel ratio of an air/fuel mixture fed to the internal combustion engine is determined. An estimated value of the hydrocarbon concentration in the fluid line is determined according to the mass flow of the fluid and the air/fuel ratio. The sensor is calibrated according to the captured value of the hydrocarbon concentration and the estimated value of the hydrocarbon concentration.

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 hydrogen sensor includes a support having a first temperature sensor, a heating element and an evaluation unit. The hydrogen sensor furthermore includes a mass flow reduction apparatus by which a gas mass flow over the first temperature sensor and the heating element is reduced. The evaluation unit determines a hydrogen concentration in a gas or gas mixture based on a first temperature detected by the first temperature sensor. A detection method for hydrogen concentration having the hydrogen sensor and a motor vehicle having a fuel cell drive having the hydrogen sensor.

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: 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 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 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.

Abstract: A method for rapidly emptying an activated carbon filter while using an HC sensor (concentration change). A device for a tank system, for a motor vehicle having the device for a tank system and to a method for emptying an activated carbon filter for a tank system. The concentration of volatile components which are flushed from the activated carbon filter is detected by a concentration sensor. The concentration sensor is used as an early warning sensor to prevent any disturbances of mixture production of an engine.

Abstract: A device and a method for operating an internal combustion engine having at least one cylinder and a tank ventilation system with a line designed to provide pneumatic communication between the tank ventilation system and the at least one cylinder. The line has at least one sensor for determining a hydrocarbon content of a gas flow. A determination, as a function of a measurement signal from the sensor, of a hydrocarbon content of a gas flow flowing from the tank ventilation system to the at least one cylinder is performed. At least one characteristic variable for a fuel quantity to be metered is determined as a function of the determined hydrocarbon content. A metering of fuel into the cylinder is determined as a function of the at least one determined characteristic variable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring an exhaust-gas turbocharger of an internal combustion engine. In order to create an inexpensive and also reliably operating method and a corresponding device for monitoring an exhaust-gas turbocharger, it is proposed that a sound transducer which is designed to record rotational-speed dependent turbocharger operating noise is provided, which sound transducer is connected to an electronic system for frequency analysis for the output of a turbocharger rotational speed signal.

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 sensor circuit for a flow sensor comprises terminating impedances connected in parallel to the sound transducers and has a signal generator, which is configured as a power source. The circuit arrangement is suitable particularly for the operation of an airflow sensor in internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A tank ventilation system includes a flushing line, off which a bypass branches and into which the bypass opens out. A sensor is arranged in the flushing line bypass to determine a concentration of hydrocarbons in a fluid in the flushing line. A hydrocarbon tank is coupled via a first connector to a first end of the flushing line and designed for coupling, via a second coupling, to a tank.