Abstract: A method for monitoring at least one glow plug of an internal combustion engine in which a time-dependent variable, which characterizes the current flowing through the at least one glow plug, is compared for fault recognition to at least one time-dependent minimum and/or maximum threshold value, and a fault is recognized if the time-dependent variable is greater and/or less than the minimum and/or maximum threshold value. The method is characterized in that the first derivative of the time-dependent variable is compared to the first derivative of the maximum threshold value and the second derivative of the time-dependent variable is compared to the second derivative of the maximum threshold value, and a fault is recognized if the first derivative of the time-dependent variable is less than the first derivative the maximum threshold value, and the second derivative of the time-dependent variable is less than the second derivative of the maximum threshold value.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine has a housing and an insulator held in a clamping area of the housing, which electrically insulates a central electrode from the housing, a heat transfer area having a circumferential gap between the housing and the insulator being provided in the area of a combustion chamber-side end section of the housing for dissipating the heat absorbed by the insulator. The heat transfer area and the clamping area are spatially separated from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating fuel, in particular alcohol, for the operation of combustion engines. The latter can be operated with alcohol or with an alcohol/gasoline mixture. The apparatus for heating fuel is integrated into the injection system of the combustion engine operable with alcohol or with an alcohol/gasoline mixture. The apparatus comprises a thin-walled heating tube that is received in a housing and surrounds a heating element. The heating element is produced from a material that exhibits a considerable rise in its electrical resistance with increasing temperature.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination includes a fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a spark plug with a spark-plug insulator, the spark plug having a first electrode, and a second electrode for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are arranged at a biaxial offset in a respective receiving bore of a shared connecting member inserted in a recess of a cylinder head.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus and a method for sealing, which make possible reduced installation space and assembly at room temperature, are proposed. The sealing apparatus encompasses a ceramic base element and a metallic housing. The ceramic base element comprises on an outer wall at least one circumferential flute in the region of which the housing is pressed in positively fitting fashion onto the ceramic base element.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination comprises a fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a spark plug with a spark-plug insulator, a first electrode and a second electrode for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector includes an actuator cooperating with an actuation device, which is in force-locking, operative connection to a valve needle, the valve needle, or a valve-closure member connected thereto, cooperating with a valve-seat surface to form a sealing seat. The valve needle of the fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are positioned in a shared housing at a biaxial offset.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination includes a fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and a spark plug for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber, and has a spark-plug insulator including a first electrode, and includes a second electrode. The fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are each disposed in a recess of a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are fixedly held in place in a shared connecting member arranged outside of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a shell on which a threaded shank having a thread and a tool attachment for installation in an internal combustion engine are situated, and an assembly shank of the shell running between the threaded shank and the tool attachment. The spark plug is dimensioned in such a way that the ratio of the sum of the threaded shank length and the assembly shank length to the sum of the assembly shank diameter and the thread diameter is between 0.95 and 1.55.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a middle electrode which has an electrode base body (5) with an end face (51) oriented toward the combustion chamber, to which end face a precious metal platelet (8) is attached. An end section (15) of the electrode base body oriented toward the combustion chamber is formed in the shape of a truncated cone. The precious metal platelet (8) is likewise formed in the shape of a truncated cone and the diameter of the end face (52) of the electrode base body oriented toward the combustion chamber corresponds to the diameter of the end face (84) of the precious metal platelet oriented away from the combustion chamber. A method for producing middle electrodes for a spark plug of an internal combustion engine is also proposed.

Abstract: A spark plug is described having a partially cylindrical insulator element and a housing surrounding the insulator element on the side of a base part. The insulator element and the housing are connected with one another by at least one material bond and/or one friction-lock connection aligned in the radial direction. A compact spark plug can be produced using this type of connection. In particular, the diameter of the spark plug is smaller than the diameter of known spark plugs having the same characteristics.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination (1) comprises a fuel injector (2) for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a spark plug (3) with a spark-plug insulator (19), a first electrode (20) and a second electrode (21) for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector (2) includes an actuator (4) cooperating with an actuation device (5), which is in force-locking, operative connection to a valve needle (6), the valve needle (6), or a valve-closure member (7) connected thereto, cooperating with a valve-seat surface (8) to form a sealing seat. The valve needle (6) of the fuel injector (2) and the spark-plug insulator (19) of the spark plug (3) are positioned in a shared housing (9) at a biaxial offset.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination includes a fuel injector for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, and a spark plug for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber, and has a spark-plug insulator including a first electrode, and includes a second electrode. The fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are each disposed in a recess of a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The fuel injector and the spark-plug insulator of the spark plug are fixedly held in place in a shared connecting member arranged outside of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A fuel injector-spark plug combination (1) includes a fuel injector (2) for the direct injection of fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine and a spark plug (3) with a spark-plug insulator (19), the spark plug (3) having a first electrode (20), and a second electrode (21) for igniting the fuel injected into the combustion chamber. The fuel injector (2) and the spark-plug insulator (19) of the spark plug (3) are arranged at a biaxial offset in a respective receiving bore (12; 13) of a shared connecting member (9) inserted in a recess (18) of a cylinder head (19).

Abstract: A spark plug includes a shell on which a threaded shank having a thread and a tool attachment for installation in an internal combustion engine are situated, and an assembly shank of the shell running between the threaded shank and the tool attachment. The spark plug is dimensioned in such a way that the ratio of the sum of the threaded shank length and the assembly shank length to the sum of the assembly shank diameter and the thread diameter is between 0.95 and 1.55.

Abstract: A spark plug for an internal combustion engine is proposed, having a middle electrode which has an electrode base body (5) with an end face (51) oriented toward the combustion chamber, to which end face a precious metal platelet (8) is attached. An end section (15) of the electrode base body oriented toward the combustion chamber is embodied in the shape of a truncated cone. The precious metal platelet (8) is likewise embodied in the shape of a truncated cone and the diameter of the end face (51) of the electrode base body oriented toward the combustion chamber corresponds to the diameter of the end face (84) of the precious metal platelet oriented away from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A spark plug includes a partially cylindrical insulator element, including a bore hole and a central electrode located in an opening in the base part of the insulator element. The insulator element and the central electrode are connected by at least one metallic soldered connection and/or one metallic welded connection and/or one friction-locked connection aligned in the radial direction.

Abstract: A spark plug is described having a partially cylindrical insulator element and a housing surrounding the insulator element on the side of a base part. The insulator element and the housing are connected with one another by at least one material bond and/or one friction-lock connection aligned in the radial direction. A compact spark plug can be produced using this type of connection. In particular, the diameter of the spark plug is smaller than the diameter of known spark plugs having the same characteristics.