Abstract: An operating mode for an internal combustion engine, in particular a directly injected internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, in particular for a directly injected gasoline engine, e.g. for a motor vehicle, having low NOx combustion (NAV). During the NAV operating mode that is the subject matter of this invention, at an ignition point (ZZP) a largely homogeneous, lean fuel/exhaust gas/air mixture having a combustion air ratio of ??1 in the respective combustion chamber is spark ignited by an ignition device, whereby the flame front combustion initiated by the ignition device (FFV) transitions to a controlled auto-ignition (RZV). The NAV operating mode enables a controlled auto-ignition to be performed in an engine load range in which a pure RZV operating mode is no longer stable enough to be implemented.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive train involves operating an internal combustion engine using a low-NOx operating method in a range of low and average rotational speeds and/or loads, and operating the internal combustion engine using a spark ignition operating method in a range of higher rotational speeds and/or loads.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid drive train involves operating an internal combustion engine using a low-NOx operating method in a range of low and average rotational speeds and/or loads, and operating the internal combustion engine using a spark ignition operating method in a range of higher rotational speeds and/or loads.

Abstract: An operating mode of an internal combustion engine, in particular a directly injected internal combustion engine featuring a plurality of combustion chambers, in particular for a direct-injection gasoline engine for a motor vehicle, an operating mode having at least in part low-NOx combustion (NAV) and having a plurality of partial operating modes wherein it is switched between another partial operating mode and a NAV partial operating mode, wherein in the case of said NAV partial operating mode, at an ignition point (ZZP) a largely homogeneous, lean fuel/exhaust gas/air mixture having a combustion air ratio of ??1 is spark ignited in the respective combustion chamber by means of an ignition device, and where a flame front combustion (FFV) initiated by the spark-ignition transitions to a controlled auto-ignition (RZV). The operational stability of the respective partial operating mode can be improved by variation of the compression ratio ?.

Abstract: In an operating method for an internal combustion engine with direct fuel injection including a plurality of combustion chambers, in particular a direct-injection gasoline engine for a motor vehicle, wherein the operating method comprises low-NOx combustion (NAV) and uses a plurality of partial operating modes, wherein, in a NAV partial operating mode, water is injected into the respective combustion chamber, and, during said NAV partial operating mode, at an ignition point (ZZP), a largely homogeneous, lean fuel/exhaust gas/air mixture having a combustion air ratio of ??1 is spark ignited by means of an ignition device so as to initiate flame front combustion (FFV) with a transition to a controlled auto-ignition (RZV). The injection of water permits the NAV partial operating mode to be stably implemented even at high engine loads and speeds.

Abstract: An operating mode for an internal combustion engine, in particular a directly injected internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers, in particular for a directly injected gasoline engine, e.g. for a motor vehicle, having low NOx combustion (NAV). During the NAV operating mode that is the subject matter of this invention, at an ignition point (ZZP) a largely homogeneous, lean fuel/exhaust gas/air mixture having a combustion air ratio of ??1 in the respective combustion chamber is spark ignited by an ignition device, whereby the flame front combustion initiated by the ignition device (FFV) transitions to a controlled auto-ignition (RZV). The NAV operating mode enables a controlled auto-ignition to be performed in an engine load range in which a pure RZV operating mode is no longer stable enough to be implemented.

Abstract: A method for operating a four stroke internal combustion engine in which the combustion position can be set/controlled/corrected. The phase position of intake and/or exhaust phase is shifted for this purpose. Compression ignition takes place at part-load, and spark ignition takes place at full load. In the event of a load change in the part-lead range, the theoretical shift in the combustion position is compensated by the shift in phase position of the intake and/or exhaust phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein fuel is injected in a pre-injection and main injection process. According to the invention, pre-injection occurs in the intermediate compression stroke of the internal combustion engine. Main injection is carried out in an intake synchronous manner. The invention can be used for internal combustion engines, particularly for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Abstract: A method retains exhaust gas in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and compresses the exhaust gas during a charge change. A first fuel quantity is injected into the retained exhaust gas by direct fuel injection. A second fuel quantity is subsequently fed to the combustion chamber so that a homogeneous fuel/air mixture is obtained in the combustion chamber. An auto-ignition time of the fuel/air mixture which is formed from the first and second fuel quantities is set as a function of a quantity ratio of the first fuel quantity to the second fuel quantity.

Abstract: 1. Method for operating an internal combustion engine 2.1. The invention proposes a method for operating an internal combustion engine in which the combustion position can be set/controlled/corrected. 2.2. According to the invention, it is provided that the phase position of intake and/or exhaust phase is shifted for this purpose. 2.3. Use for internal combustion engines, in particular for passenger and commercial motor vehicles.

Abstract: A method retains exhaust gas in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and compresses the exhaust gas during a charge change. A first fuel quantity is injected into the retained exhaust gas by direct fuel injection. A second fuel quantity is subsequently fed to the combustion chamber so that a homogeneous fuel/air mixture is obtained in the combustion chamber. An auto-ignition time of the fuel/air mixture which is formed from the first and second fuel quantities is set as a function of a quantity ratio of the first fuel quantity to the second fuel quantity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an internal combustion engine, wherein fuel is injected in a pre-injection and main injection process. According to the invention, pre-injection occurs in the intermediate compression stroke of the internal combustion engine. Main injection is carried out in an intake synchronous manner. The invention can be used for internal combustion engines, particularly for passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, a control operation is provided for the combustion process, wherein an actual value of the crank angle of a 50% mass conversion point of the fuel to be converted during the combustion is determined taking into account a measurement signal of an ion current sensor which is arranged in a combustion chamber, and the crank angle of the 50% mass conversion point is adjusted to a set point value of the position of the 50% mass conversion point by varying at least one manipulated variable of the internal combustion engine which affects the combustion. The crank angle of the 50% mass conversion point is determined in a layered neural network in which the measurement results of the ion current sensor are logically combined with at least one further, continuously measured operating parameter of the internal combustion engine.

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.