Abstract: A method is provided for determining the ion component following a combustion process in a self-igniting internal combustion engine. At least two electrodes are located inside at least one cylinder, to which electrodes an electrical voltage can be applied, with the voltage being an AC voltage or having an AC voltage component.

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.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine or a sensor element for an ignition or combustion process is provided in which at least one of the electrodes consists of two materials. The electrodes are designed such that the distance from a first area of one electrode to the other electrode is less than the distance from the one additional area of one electrode to the other electrode. The two areas consist of different materials, and at least one of the electrodes has a slight radius of curvature in the first area at the point at which the distance from the other electrode is minimal. Regardless of or in connection with this design, the shape of the surface of the electrode can be constant or continuous, at least at the transition between the two areas. One of the electrodes may have a material projection at a point that is opposite a point on the other electrode at which deposits can develop on the other electrode during operation.

Abstract: A method for operating a multicylinder internal combustion engine with at least one adsorber catalytic converter in the exhaust line of the internal combustion engine includes operating the adsorber catalytic converter with periodically alternating adsorption and desorption operation. The exhaust leaving the adsorber catalytic converter in desorption operation is recycled and/or an oxidation catalytic converter is provided upstream of the adsorber catalytic converter. Exhaust recycling takes place occurs selectively in only one set of the cylinders of the internal combustion engine and this set of cylinders is operated in a state of incomplete combustion during desorption operation. Rich afterburning may be performed during desorption operation of the adsorber catalytic converter in the oxidation catalytic converter connected upstream and the oxidation catalytic converter is operated at an increased temperature during short regeneration phases to remove soot.

Abstract: In a spark plug with combined surface and air spark paths comprising a center electrode, and insulator which surrounds the center electrode and which, at least in the end region of the center electrode, maintains a gap with respect thereto, and a ground electrode which, together with the spark plug body, surrounds the insulator and which at least in the end region of the insulator maintains a gap with respect thereto, the insulator, to form a discharge chamber surrounding the end portion of the center electrode, extends in the axial direction of the plug beyond the center electrode, and the ground electrode encompasses the insulator around the end thereof with an extension of the ground electrode extending into the discharge chamber with a clearance gap being maintained between the extension and the end portion of the insulator.

Abstract: An ignition system having a low voltage source serving as a starting point for producing of an ignition voltage at least one ignition spark gap via at least one ignition branch, said branch including a said ignition spark gap, a high voltage capacitor, a high voltage transformer for producing a voltage at the high voltage capacitor of at least the same order of magnitude as said ignition voltage, an auxiliary spark gap having a breakdown threshold, and timing control means for controlling voltage delivery timing to said branch; wherein said auxiliary spark gap is disposed at an output side of said high voltage transformer and said high voltage capacitor is coupled to said auxiliary spark gap in a manner causing the high voltage capacitor to discharge to said ignition spark gap when the breakdown threshold of the auxiliary spark gap is exceeded; wherein the high voltage transformer has minimum inductances and minimum impedances; wherein a medium voltage transformer for producing a voltage between the low volta

Abstract: An arrangement for the ignition of ignitable mixtures, especially a spark plug for producing sparks in otto-engines, which is constructed according to high-frequency standpoints and in which at least one condenser arranged in the spark plug is adapted to be charged to a high voltage and is adapted to be discharged as much as possible exclusively in the breakdown phase of the starting phase of the ignition spark by way of a booster gap also arranged in the spark plug and a main gap formed by an ignition electrode with respect to a ground electrode, whereby the breakdown voltage of the booster is higher than the breakdown voltage at the main gap. In particular, for achieving a compact constructive form, satisfactory from a manufacturing point of view, and for optimizing the ignition and flame development, the condenser and the main gap are connected in a series circuit in a preferred embodiment of the invention, with respect to which the booster gap is connected in parallel.

Abstract: A mixture-compression internal combustion engine has an auxiliary chamber opening into the combustion space via an injection duct, to which is allocated an ignition unit. In order to provide secure, rapid and large volume ignition of the fuel/air mixture, several auxiliary chambers open into the combustion space and the injection duct of a first auxiliary chamber is directed towards the injection duct of a further auxiliary chamber. Starting from the ignition unit allocated to the first auxiliary chamber the fuel/air mixture in the combustion space is ignited, and starting from the first auxiliary chamber, the mixture is ignited sequentially in the other auxiliary chambers.