Abstract: A high-pressure gas discharge lamp is connected on one side to a lead across the secondary winding of a starter transformer and to a second lead on the second side. Starting energy is applied with a pulse. For this purpose, a controllable switch which becomes conducting on reaching a certain voltage or is connected by a drive is provided in series with the primary winding. A capacitor connected in parallel to the series connection is charged by voltage U between the input terminals across a resistor connected in series and a diode. An input circuit provided between these input terminals of the starter has a capacitor, a protective element or a combination of the two for protection against voltage peaks.

Abstract: An ignition device for gas discharge lamps is proposed, in particular for motor vehicle lights. The ignition device contains a first transformer (17) which is supplied on its primary side with an alternating current produced from a direct current supply voltage. To generate this alternating current, a capacitor (14), which is acted upon by a charging current, constitutes a closed circuit together with the primary winding of the first transformer and a spark gap (16), wherein the spark gap (16) arcs at a predetermined charge state of the capacitor (14). This device makes a simple, inexpensive, and space-saving device possible for generating the required operating voltage for the transformer (17), wherein the spark gap can be reliably used, even at higher temperatures.

Abstract: On one side, a high-pressure gas discharge lamp (10) is connected, by way of the secondary winding (16) of an ignition transformer (14), to a line (11) and, on its second side, to a second line (12). It is therefore connected to a first voltage U.sub.1. A third line (13) delivers a further voltage U.sub.2. The ignition energy is supplied with the aid of a pulse. For this purpose, a spark gap (17) is provided in series with the primary winding (15), which gap abruptly becomes conductive when the breakdown voltage is attained. A first capacitor (18) that is charged by the voltage U.sub.2 by way of a resistor (20) connected in series is disposed in parallel to the first capacitor. The series connection of a second capacitor (19) and a diode (22) is provided in parallel to the first capacitor. The connecting point of the second capacitor and the diode is connected to the second line (12) by way of a resistor (21). This second capacitor 19 is charged by the voltage U.sub.1.

Abstract: A device for operating a gas-discharge lamp includes a starting member and a power member for supplying energy to the lamp. A switch is arranged between the lamp and the power member and connects the power member with the lamp subsequent to the initiation of the starting process.

Abstract: A headlight for vehicles has a light source formed as a gas discharge lamp, a ballast unit connected with the gas discharge lamp and producing high voltage, and a unit for preventing dispersion of electromagnetic radiation caused by the gas discharge lamp. The unit includes an electrical filtering circuit arranged near the gas discharge lamp and having a plurality of components, and a housing surrounds at least a part of the components of the electrical filtering circuit.

Abstract: A device for operating a gas discharge lamp is disclosed which includes a voltage transformer preferably an inverse transformer, to whose output a bridge circuit is connected, with the lamp being disposed in the diagonal of the bridge. A component disposed in the vicinity of lamp and able to carry an electrical potential is arranged in such a manner that an electrical field is able to develop between the lamp and the component. The component is connected with that terminal at the output of the voltage transformer at which the potential is positive relative to that at the other terminal.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for operating a gas-discharge lamp is proposed, in which the high voltage for starting the gas-discharge lamp is generated by means of the energy stored in a transformer or capacitor. In order to obtain a steep rise in voltage of the starting voltage, the starting voltage is provided to the gas-discharge lamp via a voltage-controlled switch. A break-over diode, which has very short switching times, is proposed as the voltage-controlled switch. The starting circuit is switched off after starting. This circuit arrangement is also particularly suitable for starting gas-discharge lamps which are warm from operation. In consequence, it is particularly suitable for motor vehicle headlights.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for determining the flow rate of a flowing medium such as the amount of air supplied to an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes at least one temperature-dependent resistor arranged in the flowing medium. For this purpose, an arrangement is provided which applies a quantity dependent on at least the flow rate to the temperature-dependent resistor. The method includes the step of abruptly reducing the flow rate dependent quantity to a value such as approximately zero in the presence of a flow-rate value lying below a predeterminable threshold value. Because the reduction takes place only for a predetermined period of time, normal operation will be resumed automatically when the flow rate rises again. A hot-wire air-flow sensor is arranged in the intake pipe of an internal combustion engine and the output signals thereof are a measure of the amount of air inducted by the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: To permit continued operation of a vehicle in spite of malfunction of an electronic ignition computer system, or any other electronic control module in an automotive vehicle, a transducer (10) provides an output to a trigger stage which has its output connected a digitally operating microprocessor (17) and to a bypass or transfer switch (21). The output from the microprocessor is connected to an analog and operating output stage (19, 20) to be controlled by the digital system of the microprocessor (17). Upon sensing of low operating voltage (U) as determined, for example, by a threshold switch (22), or of starting condition the switch (21) is closed, bypassing or interrupting connection to the microprocessor, and directly connecting signals from the transducer output stage to the input of the ignition circuit to permit operation under emergency conditions.

Abstract: An air flow rate meter in an internal combustion engine which functions on the principle of a constant-temperature anemometer is proposed. The device includes a resistance measurement bridge with a regulatable total bridge current, and the relative orientation between the bridge diagonal voltage and the input voltage of a subsequent amplifier is variable. By means of this variation, an adjustment can be made of the set-point and actual curves of the air flow rate meter. In accordance with a first exemplary embodiment, a supplementary current is supplied to one of the connecting lines of the bridge diagonal and the amplifier; in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment, a voltage divider is located between the bridge diagonal points, and one of the voltage divider resistors is connected parallel to an amplifier having a specific offset voltage.

Abstract: An electrically controlled fuel metering system having an air flow rate meter device in the air intake tube and a subsequent linearizing circuit layout is proposed. The linearizing circuit layout functions in accordance with the point-slope method and is embodied as a voltage-to-current converter. A first exemplary embodiment of the linearizing circuit layout has transistors coupled with one another respectively at the base and collector sides, the emitters of which are connected with different potentials and are triggered on the base side. In a second exemplary embodiment, individual transistors or transistors which are combined into groups receive their trigger signal via separate amplifiers, while the collectors in turn are carried to a common output point and the emitters likewise have different signal levels. Because of its relatively simple design, the proposed embodiments are particularly well suited to the purposes of integration.

Abstract: A device is proposed for measuring the flowthrough rate in an internal combustion engine, particularly for measuring the air throughput in the intake tube. The device has a measurement bridge functioning on the principle of constant-temperature control, and also a regulating deivce for the total bridge current during the burn-off phase of the hot wire or hot film as one of the bridge resistors. The essential feature is that the bridge circuit assembly comprises at least three voltage dividers; for the purpose of regulating the electric current in the burn-off phase and during measurement operation, respective control voltages are picked up between two different voltage dividers.

Abstract: A device is proposed for regulating the fuel-air ratio in the operating mixture of an internal combustion engine and for monitoring the operational readiness of a .lambda. sensor controlling the regulating device and functioning by the principle of ion conduction in solid electrolytes. The .lambda. sensor has an adjustable, constant reference voltage switched opposite to it. The reference voltage approximately equals the average sensor output voltage. The level of the resultant voltage, which is established with the aid of the resultant current and has values located symmetrically with respect to the reference voltage, is monitored by comparator devices. The output signal of the comparator devices is logically processed and furnishes a signal as to the operational readiness of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for operating a fuel-supply system using a lambda-control apparatus for an internal-combustion engine wherein the amount of fuel to be supplied to the internal combustion engine is a function of signals representing the speed (RPM), the engine load, the exhaust-composition, and the temperature of the exhaust-gas sensor together with the attainment of a given temperature of the engine as an additional control criteria for the lambda-control apparatus. The method further includes deriving a temperature signal from the internal combustion engine to operate a threshold element with a hystereses whose switching values lie at about 10.degree. C. and 50.degree. C. to 85.degree. C. for optimum fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. The output signal of the threshold element can be further utilized for a supplementary warm-up fuel enrichment for better ignition characteristics, engine smoothness, and exhaust gas composition.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regulating the fuel-air ratio of the operational mixture of an internal combustion engine and for monitoring the operational readiness of a .lambda. sensor controlling the regulating apparatus and functioning according to the principle of ionic conduction in fixed electrolytes. A constant reference voltage which approximately corresponds to the average sensor output voltage is connected opposite to the .lambda. sensor. The level of the resultant voltage thus established, the values of which are disposed symmetrically relative to the reference voltage, is utilized, along with the cooperation of a resultant electric current which causes a voltage drop across the temperature-dependent internal resistance of the .lambda. sensor as a gauge for the operational readiness of the .lambda. sensor.

Abstract: There is described a method and an apparatus for use with the fuel preparation system of an internal combustion engine, for example, a fuel injection system which operates injection valves with electrical control pulses. When the gas pedal of a vehicle is actuated abruptly, the air flow measuring device of such systems is subject to oscillations around its equilibrium point, and the initial one of these swings is used to cause enrichment of the fuel-air mixture. The return swing generates an undesired lean signal which is suppressed by a "damping circuit". In addition, there is provided mixture enriching during steady applications of the gas pedal by means of a time-decaying enrichment signal generated by a slow acting circuit which operates in superposition to the action of the damping circuit. Both circuits may be suppressed by a blocking circuit during certain engine conditions, for example, during engine starting and engine overrunning as well as on the basis of temperature.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating fuel metering control pulse which may be used to control the operation of injection systems, carburetors, or any other controllable fuel metering mechanism. The system includes two signal generators one of which continually generates a signal related to engine conditions while the other is engaged in deriving therefrom a fuel metering control pulse of appropriate length. The duration of the pulses may be obtained by the charging and discharging constant of control capacitors or by a process of numerical countdown of digital data.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for obtaining an interference-free trigger signal such as for a fuel apportionment device from the ignition signal of an internal combustion engine, particularly one having a current-regulated final ignition stage. The output of the circuit arrangement begins when a signal derived from the final ignition stage exceeds a first, high threshold value and is terminated when, after falling below a second, low threshold value, a predetermined time lag period has ended. In this manner, a desired interference-free trigger signal is obtained which can be used to trigger various rpm-dependent circuit arrangements, such as electronic fuel apportionment and gear control.

Abstract: A fuel injection system of an internal combustion engine generates valve-actuating pulses for actuating electromagnetic fuel injection valves. The length, or duration, of these valve actuating pulses is a function of various engine conditions and they are generated by a pulse-length multiplying circuit from preliminary control pulses derived from two basic engine variables, e.g. engine speed and air flow rate. In order to compensate for the decreasing pressure drop across the injection valve orifice at high engine load due to increasing manifold pressure, the invention describes methods for lengthening the fuel valve-actuating pulses by engaging the pulse-length multiplying circuit, in order to change the charging or discharging times of the timing capacitor therein. Another method proposed is to engage the battery-voltage compensation circuit in the system to lengthen the valve-actuating pulses. Electronic circuitry to perform these corrections is also described.

Abstract: A fuel injection control system generates control pulses which open the fuel injection valves of the engine. The pulse duration is proportional to the injected fuel quantity and can be altered in dependence on air temperature by a circuit which includes a temperature-sensitive resistor. The voltage at this resistor controls a transistor which supplies a supplementary charging current for a timing capacitor.