Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a reciprocating piston engine having a valve controller, the method comprising five operating phases (Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4, Ph5), namely a regular combustion engine operation (Ph1), an overrun operation (Ph2), a shutdown process (Ph3), a restart (Ph4), as well as a transition back to the combustion engine operation (Ph5). During the transition to the overrun operation, a drag torque of the reciprocating piston engine is reduced by adjusting the valve controller. During the shutdown, the drag torque is increased. In the course of the restart that interrupts the shutdown process, the drag torque is temporarily reduced.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a reciprocating piston engine having a valve controller, the method comprising five operating phases (Ph1, Ph2, Ph3, Ph4, Ph5), namely a regular combustion engine operation (Ph1), an overrun operation (Ph2), a shutdown process (Ph3), a restart (Ph4), as well as a transition back to the combustion engine operation (Ph5). During the transition to the overrun operation, a drag torque of the reciprocating piston engine is reduced by adjusting the valve controller. During the shutdown, the drag torque is increased. In the course of the restart that interrupts the shutdown process, the drag torque is temporarily reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traction mechanism drive for an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one drive pulley, at least one driven pulley, belt means which are embodied as a belt or chain, a tensioning element and a damping element. The invention is characterized in that at least one damping element is arranged on a driven or drive pulley and is embodied as a torsional vibration damper which comprises at least two sections which can be rotated against each other counter to the force of the energy accumulator and a friction element.

Abstract: A tensioner for traction means such as a belt, includes a housing which accommodates a cylinder for guiding a hydraulically dampened, spring-loaded plunger in an axial direction for tensioning the traction means. The interior space of the housing is closed by a cover which has a guide opening for passage of the plunger. A seal is placed outside the cover to seal an annular opening bounded by the housing and the plunger. In order to prevent a gas cushion under pressure and trapped between the cover and the seal, from pushing the seal from its seat, the cover is formed with a vent passageway which communicates with the interior space for release of the gas cushion via the vent passageway into the interior space.