Abstract: The present invention relates a method for epitaxial growth of a second group III-V crystal having a second lattice constant over a first group III-V crystal having a first lattice constant, wherein strain relaxation associated with lattice-mismatched epitaxy is suppressed and thus dislocation defects do not form. In the first step, the surface of the first group III-V crystal (substrate) is cleansed by desorption of surface oxides. In the second step, a layer of condensed group-V species is condensed on the surface of the first group III-V crystal. In the third step, a mono-layer of constituent group-III atoms is deposited over the layer of condensed group-V species in order for the layer of constituent group-III atoms to retain the condensed group-V layer. Subsequently, the mono-layer of group-III atoms is annealed at a higher temperature.

Abstract: Methods of cleaning substrates and growing epitaxial silicon thereon are provided. Wafers are exposed to a plasma for a sufficient time prior to epitaxial silicon growth, in order to clean the wafers. The methods exhibit enhanced selectivity and reduced lateral growth of epitaxial silicon. The wafers may have dielectric areas that are passivated by the exposure of the wafer to a plasma.

Abstract: A transition metal doped spinel type MgAl2O4 fluorescent material capable of laser oscillation and a laser apparatus using the same. It is made from a mixed raw material of an Al raw material and a Mg raw material added thereto in an amount together with a transition metal raw material so that the amount of Mg exceeds that of Al by a few percents in terms of molar ratio, by shaping the mixed raw material under pressure to form a source material rod, and single-crystallizing the source material rod in a selected gaseous atmosphere by floating zone melting. The doping amount of Ti is such that in composition formula MgAl2-xTixO4 it lies in a range: 0.003?x?0.01. The doping amount of Mn is such that in composition formula Mg1-xMnxAlO4 it lies in a range: 0.003?x?0.01.

Abstract: A potassium niobate deposited body includes an R-plane sapphire substrate, a buffer layer composed of a metal oxide and formed above the R-plane sapphire substrate, a lead zirconate titanate niobate layer formed above the buffer layer, and a potassium niobate layer or a potassium niobate solid solution layer formed above the lead zirconate titanate niobate layer.

Abstract: A coverslipping machine (1) for applying coverslipping agent and a coverslip onto a specimen slide is described. A hollow needle (2), which is embodied to be movable via a guide (4) into a working position for application of the coverslipping agent from a reservoir (3) onto the specimen slide, is additionally movable via the guide (4) into a parked position. A cleaning device (5) for the hollow needle (2) is arranged at the parked position.

Abstract: A coating apparatus, has a nozzle unit (1) with at least one feeding chamber (12) extending in the longitudinal direction (W) of the coating apparatus Coating color is conveyed into the chamber by feeding means (4), and a nozzle slot (30) in flow communication with the said feeding chamber, the slot also extending in the longitudinal direction (W) of the coating apparatus. The flow communication between the at least one feeding chamber (12) and the nozzle slot (30) is formed by feed holes (14; 18) made in one wall of the feeding chamber, through which the coating color can be conveyed to the nozzle slot. The nozzle unit has means (15, 16; 19) by which the effective area of the feed holes (14; 18) can be adjusted in order to accomplish transverse profiling of the amount of coating color.

Abstract: A doctor bed formed as a profiled strip having a continuous groove in the axial direction in order to hold a rotatable metering rod, which can be pressed against a moving surface and which meters and/or equalizes liquid to pasty medium applied to the moving surface. The moving surface, in the case of direct application of the medium, being one side of a paper, board or other fibrous web; and in the case of indirect application, being the surface of a transfer element which transfers the application medium to the fibrous web. Also disclosed is, for the production of the doctor bed, a material or a material combination selected including in a first variant of a homogeneous mixture of 70 to 99.8% polyethylene and 0.2 to 30% by weight of a wax of animal, vegetable, mineral or synthetic origin that is solid or liquid at room temperature.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an aircraft spray booth providing for effective removal of particulate matter, overspray and volatile organic compounds from the spray booth area without premature and uneven clogging of the filtration system. The present invention is designed to create an accelerated airflow within the plenum of the spray booth to prevent or minimize stratification of the air and reduce particulate matter fallout. The airflow through the booth is increased by the reduction of the spray booth and filter area to approximately ? of the original booth width. The decrease in the cross sectional area of the spray booth increases the overall speed of the airflow and decrease the volume of air exchanged through the booth. The spray booth is tapered at the reduction area to cause acceleration of the air at the sidewalls. The acceleration of air at the sidewalls causes a purging of air along the sidewalls and prevents paint and other particulate matter from adhering to the sidewalls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for hot dip coating a metal bar (1), especially a steel strip, in which the metal bar (1) is directed vertically through a container (3) accommodating the molten coating metal (2) and through a guide channel (4) mounted upstream thereof. The inventive device comprises at least two inductors (5) which are arranged on both sides of the metal bar (1) in the area of the guide channel (4) and generate an electromagnetic field for retaining the coating metal (2) inside the container (3). In order to relax the coating bath, the distance (d) between the walls (6) that delimit the guide channel (4) is not kept constant in a direction (N) extending perpendicular to the surface of the metal strip (1) in the zone (H) of the vertical extension of the guide channel (4), which is located between the bottom side (7) thereof and the bottom area (8) of the container (3).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus useful for plating a substrate or processing a substrate by dipping a substrate in a processing liquid. A substrate processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a loading/unloading area for carrying in and out a substrate; a cleaning area for cleaning the substrate; and a plating area for plating the substrate. The loading/unloading area is provided with a substrate transfer robot having a plurality of hands of dry-use design, a loading port mounted with a cassette for housing substrates, and a reversing machine of dry-use design for reversing the substrate from face up to face down.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate processing apparatus useful for plating a substrate or processing a substrate by dipping a substrate in a processing liquid. A substrate processing apparatus of the present invention includes: a loading/unloading area for carrying in and out a substrate; a cleaning area for cleaning the substrate; and a plating area for plating the substrate. The loading/unloading area is provided with a substrate transfer robot having a plurality of hands of dry-use design, a loading port mounted with a cassette for housing substrates, and a reversing machine of dry-use design for reversing the substrate from face up to face down.

Abstract: The invention provides a film forming method that improves throughput in a preliminary discharge. The film forming method according to the present invention can include a preliminary discharge step of preliminarily discharging liquid droplets from a head and a liquid droplet discharge step of relatively moving the head and the work to discharge the liquid droplets onto the surface of the work from the head. The preliminary discharge of the liquid droplets is carried out while the head and the work are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: A gas mixing and delivery system includes a first gas supply vessel including a first gas stored at a first pressure, a second gas supply vessel including a second gas stored at a second pressure, and a mixing vessel connected to each of the first and second gas supply vessels. The system further includes a buffer tank connected to the mixing vessel to receive a gas mixture including the first and second gases delivered from the mixing vessel. The buffer tank is configured to connect with a process tool. The system is further configured to produce a gas mixture including the first and second gases by facilitating delivery of the first and second gases into the mixing vessel, mixing the first and second gases in the mixing vessel and delivering the gas mixture from the mixing vessel to the buffer tank via a forcing gas that is at a pressure greater than the first pressure.

Abstract: In one implementation, a substrate susceptor for receiving a semiconductor substrate for selective epitaxial silicon-comprising depositing thereon, where the depositing comprises measuring emissivity of the susceptor from at least one susceptor location in a non-contacting manner, includes a body having a front substrate receiving side, a back side, and a peripheral edge. At least one susceptor location from which emissivity is to be measured is received on at least one of the front substrate receiving side, the back side, and the edge. Such at least one susceptor location comprises an outermost surface comprising a material upon which selective epitaxial silicon will not deposit upon during selective epitaxial silicon depositing on a semiconductor substrate received by the susceptor for at least an initial thickness of epitaxial silicon depositing on said substrate. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: In one implementation, a substrate susceptor for receiving a semiconductor substrate for selective epitaxial silicon-comprising depositing thereon, where the depositing comprises measuring emissivity of the susceptor from at least one susceptor location in a non-contacting manner, includes a body having a front substrate receiving side, a back side, and a peripheral edge. At least one susceptor location from which emissivity is to be measured is received on at least one of the front substrate receiving side, the back side, and the edge. Such at least one susceptor location comprises an outermost surface comprising a material upon which selective epitaxial silicon will not deposit upon during selective epitaxial silicon depositing on a semiconductor substrate received by the susceptor for at least an initial thickness of epitaxial silicon depositing on said substrate. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.

Abstract: For machine-milking an animal such as a cow it is proposed that a pulsed vacuum with sequential evacuation and ventilation phases is generated in a teat cup of a milking unit by means of a pulsator, wherein the pressure curve during the evacuation phase and/or the ventilation phase is controlled in at least two speed rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for remote supervision of an automatic milking system 1 adapted to handle animals and comprising at least one milking station 2 and computer means. The method in accordance with the invention includes the steps of creating web-documents containing information about the milking station 2 and/or animals obtained from the computer means, establishing a connection between the automatic milking system 1 and a communication unit 7, 8, and transmitting created web-documents to the communication unit 7, 8. The invention also relates to such a system.

Abstract: Composites and methods for making the same. A mixture of clay material and a light-weighting material is formed into a composite particle. An optional performance-enhancing active is coupled to the composite particle material before, during, or after the particle-forming process, homogeneously and/or in layers. Preferred methods for creating the composites include a pan agglomeration process, a high shear agglomeration process, a low shear agglomeration process, a high pressure agglomeration process, a low pressure agglomeration process, a rotary drum agglomeration process, a mix muller process, a roll press compaction process, a pin mixer process, a batch tumble blending mixer process, an extrusion process, and a fluid bed process.

Abstract: The method according to the invention for providing data on individual animals in which a sample (2) is taken from an animal at a sample location (1), whereby the animal ID is determined for identification of the animal, a registration ID is determined for the identification of the sampling, and a sampling ID is determined for the identification of the sample, is characterized by the fact that the animal ID, the registration ID and the sample ID are determined at the sampling location (1), are linked together to one information unit and are introduced into a data center (3). The method according to the invention, the device as well as the installation, permit efficient, comprehensive and practicable preparation and acquisition of a mass of data on individual animals, which is not liable to error, even in the case of large animal stocks and also permits comprehensive monitoring of an animal throughout the day.

Abstract: A light assembly for enclosed animal habitats, such as terrariums and aquariums, is provided. The assembly includes a light source, and a reflective luminous surface arranged with respect to the light source to absorb energy from the light source while the light source is turned on, and to emit the stored light for a finite period of time after the light source is turned off. The light assembly is designed to simulate natural light. In one embodiment, the light assembly includes a fixture that generally resembles a conventional light fixture with a reflector, socket and power source connection, with the reflector having a highly reflective, luminous coating that continues to glow to direct light and/or heat to the interior of the habitat after the lamp or heater is turned off.

Abstract: A pet house formed of multiple pet house units detachably fastened to one another through a plug joint, each pet house unit being formed of a house and an ornamental storage item secured to the inside of the house with hook and loop materials, the house having a body with window openings, ornamental plate members detachably coupled to the window openings, a rood covering the body, a LED mounted inside the roof, and a switch for switching on/off the LED.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for containing wastes from animals, the method using nonabsorbent paper material. Nonabsorbent paper is dispensed from a boxed container, the container having central perforations on a first side forming a first dispensing slot and length-wise perforations on a second side forming a second dispensing slot, whereby the non-absorbent paper may be dispensed from the boxed container. The non-absorbent paper may be ink free and hypoallergenic.

Abstract: An aquatic treadmill having a housing having a container configured to retain a liquid and sized to contain a horse within the container, a treadmill positioned along a lower portion of the container such that a horse upon entry into the container would stand upon the treadmill, and wherein the container has a decreasing cross sectional area.

Abstract: A pet toy has an outer wall and a first opening in the outer wall that extends into an interior of the pet toy, a portion of the interior being hollow. At least one second opening is defined in the outer wall and functions as a vent to prevent a pet's tongue from becoming inadvertently and harmfully sealed within the first opening.

Abstract: A pet chew toy includes a relatively hard outer shell formed of dried and shaped animal skin. A relatively soft flavored and scented meat product is encapsulated within the outer shell. The meat product promotes aggressive sustained chewing of the toy to exercise the jaws of the pet and clean its teeth and gums.

Abstract: An animal training apparatus is comprised of a leash connector attached to a chest portion of a harness. The harness is arranged to prevent the leash connector from shifting to the back of the animal. The harness is preferably comprised of a chest strap for positioning across the chest of the animal between the tops of the front legs, a withers strap for positioning across the withers of the animal behind the neck and between the shoulders, and a girth strap for positioning across the girth of the animal behind the front legs on the underside. The leash connector is attached to an intermediate position on the chest strap for pulling on the chest portion of the harness. The animal is prevented by the rotational force from pulling further.

Abstract: A boiler assembly alignment tool can include a base and a plurality of projections attached to the base. The projections can be configured to align two or more flue sections of a boiler subassembly. The cross section of the projections can be configured in a shape that complements or matches the configuration of one or more corresponding sets of convective fins on the boiler flue sections, such that when a flue section is placed on the alignment tool the flue section is brought into a unique alignment with the alignment tool. Thus, multiple flue sections placed onto the alignment tool are brought into a proper alignment with one another to facilitate assembly of the boiler subassembly. In addition, a method or process for assembling a boiler subassembly can include placing two or more flue sections onto an alignment tool and fastening the flue sections to each other.

Abstract: A control frame for a boiler includes a control mounting surface and a control panel. The control frame can be formed from a single piece of sheet metal, such that the control mounting surface and the control panel form a single undivided unit. In addition, the control frame can structurally support a boiler enclosure. The control mounting surface can include mounting interfaces for a control device, an optional microcontroller and wiring terminal strips. The control panel can also include cutouts or mounting interfaces for instrumentation or other control devices. The control frame can further include a latch interface to hold a separate cover panel in place.

Abstract: The tube assembly device of the present invention maintains spacing for proper heat transfer and avoids tubing wall removal should weld failure occur, thereby decreasing leakage of boiler tubes, shut down time and unscheduled down time for inspections and repairs. Productivity of the boilers is increased and maintenance costs are decreased. In the event of excess stress on the positioning assembly, the retainer assembly of the present invention allows for failure points to occur on the boiler tube position retainer assemblies rather than on the boiler tubes themselves.

Abstract: A boiler gas flow distribution fin includes an elongated flow distribution fin protruding from a back wall of a flow distribution channel into a hot gas flow path from a boiler combustion chamber. The flow distribution fin can include a leading segment with a leading ridge, a medial segment with a medial ridge, and a trailing segment with a trailing ridge. A gap between the fin ridges and a set of convective fins in an adjacent flue passageway segment can vary from a larger gap at the leading ridge to a smaller gap at the trailing ridge, transitioning along the medial ridge. The flow distribution fin can aid in directing a hot gas flow from a combustion chamber into the flue passageway segment, resulting in a substantially balanced mass flow rate through each of a series of flue passageway sections.

Abstract: A V-twin engine having a crankcase and a pair of cylinders defining a V-space therebetween, wherein the V-space is substantially enclosed, and a carburetor is positioned within the V-space. An intake air preheating arrangement supplies heated intake air to the carburetor, and a carburetor heating arrangement heats the V-space and the carburetor which is positioned within the V-space. Each of the foregoing arrangements, used separately or in combination within one another, aids in preventing “freeze-up” of the carburetor during running of the engine in a cold environment.

Abstract: Device to feed cooling and lubricating fluid to cooling and lubricating nozzles for the pistons of an internal combustion engine, having at least one valve with an upstream channel and a downstream channel, said valve having a blocking element able to move in a compartment to block an opening of a seat. The valve responds to the pressure of the cooling fluid by opening when the upstream pressure is greater than a threshold pressure and closing when the upstream pressure is less than the threshold pressure. A means of calibrated leakage connects the upstream channel to the downstream channel in parallel with the zone of closure of the valve.

Abstract: A variable-compression engine in which each piston is adjustable attached to the end of a connecting rod. Each piston is internally threaded to receive an adapter threaded into the piston's bore. The adapter is rotatably attached to an end of the connecting rod. Elongated teeth formed on the exterior of the piston engage mating teeth of a drive gear directly or through an intervening collar. A stepper motor drives the drive gear to rotate the piston, which advances along the threads of the adapter. As the piston advances along the threads, the piston's position relative to the end of the connecting rod changes. This change offsets the stroke of the piston and, consequently, the engine's compression ratio. Spiral notches in the piston head provide clearance for the opening of intake and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A Dual Piston Cycle Engine utilizes a unique dual piston apparatus that includes: a first cylinder housing a first piston therein; a second cylinder thermally isolated from the first cylinder and housing a second piston therein; an intake valve coupled to the first cylinder for allowing a fuel mixture to enter into the first cylinder; an exhaust valve coupled to the second cylinder for allowing an exhaust gas to exit the second cylinder; and an interstage valve that couples an internal chamber of the first cylinder to an internal chamber of the second cylinder and configured to minimize dead space between the first and second cylinders, wherein the first piston performs only intake and compression strokes and the second piston performs only combustion and exhaust strokes and the first and second cylinders are thermally isolated from one another.

Abstract: Internal combustion engine and method with compression and expansion chambers of variable volume, a combustion chamber, a variable intake valve for controlling air intake to the compression chamber, a variable outlet valve for controlling communication between the compression chamber and the combustion chamber, means for introducing fuel into the combustion chamber to form a mixture of fuel and air which burns and expands in the combustion chamber, a variable inlet valve for controlling communication between the combustion chamber and the expansion chamber, a variable exhaust valve for controlling exhaust flow from the expansion chamber, means for monitoring temperature and pressure conditions, and a computer responsive to the temperature and pressure conditions for controlling opening and closing of the valves and introduction of fuel into to the combustion chamber to optimize engine efficiency over a wide range of engine load conditions.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine is provided with a transfer passage in gaseous communication with the combustion chamber. The intake system supplies air to the transfer passage and/or the crankcase. A fuel injector may be used to supply fuel to the air supplied to the crankcase or the transfer passage.

Abstract: A valve characteristic controller for an engine including variable valve actuation mechanisms, one for a first valve and another for a second valve, to vary the opening and closing timings of the valves. The controller executes main control to calculate a target timing of the first valve in accordance with an operation state of the engine and has the corresponding variable valve actuation mechanism adjust the timing of the first valve to the target timing. Further, the controller executes sub-control to calculate a target timing of the second valve based on a target valve overlap amount and the actual timing of the first valve and has the corresponding variable valve actuation mechanism adjust the valve timing of the second valve to the target timing. The main control is executed on the one of the two variable valve actuation mechanisms having a lower response speed.

Abstract: A plant control includes determining a control input into the plant to cause a control output of the plant to converge to a desired value. A value of at least one parameter for adjusting a speed of change of the control output relative to change of the desired value is determined in accordance with a plant condition. The control input is determined based on the parameter having the value thus determined. The parameter includes a first parameter for changing a speed of change of the control input relative to change of the desired value. The parameter can also include a second parameter for changing the relative speed via a corrected desired value that is determined by correcting the desired value. The second parameter can further include a gradient parameter and a gradually-approaching characteristic parameter.

Abstract: A valve drive mechanism for actuating a valve of an internal combustion engine includes a cam member with a cam surface having a first portion and a second portion. A roller is configured to rotate and contact the first portion of the cam surface when the valve is in a closed position and the second portion of the cam surface with the valve is in an open position. The cam member and the roller are configured to reciprocally move relative to each other to open and close the valve. When the roller contacts the first portion, a gap within the valve drive mechanism exists between components of the valve drive mechanism on a downstream side of a force transmission path to the valve with respect to a contact point between the roller and the cam surface. A spring member urges the roller and the cam surface into contact with each other during motion between the cam member and the roller.

Abstract: A lift arm device for an industrial vehicle includes a lift arm, a connecting rod and first and second cylinders. The lift arm has a front end to which a working implement is connected. The connecting rod is pivotally connected at one end to the lift arm and pivotally joined at the other end to the vehicle. Each of the first and second cylinders is pivotally connected at one end to the lift arm and pivotally joined at the other end to the vehicle.

Abstract: A technique is used for adjusting the valve timing of an internal combustion engine with a cam shaft and a cam lobe displaced at a rotational angle with respect to one another. Under interposition of a cam following element, such as, for example, a bucket tappet, the cam shaft and the cam lobe work together with intake or exhaust valves as well as the camshaft actuator present on the camshaft, through which the position and/or the attitude of rotation of the camshaft to the crankshaft can be changed. To decrease the valve opening time, the camshaft can be adjusted toward hate” during a valve stroke, while the camshaft is adjusted toward “early” during the immediately subsequent base circle phase of the affected camshaft. To increase the valve opening times the camshaft can be adjusted toward “early” during a valve stroke, while the camshaft is adjusted toward “late” during the immediately subsequent base circle phase of the affected camshaft.

Abstract: A number of embodiments of double overhead cam shaft V type engines wherein the drive arrangement for the camshafts permits not only a compact design but also one in which the timing loadings are decreased to improve engine life, performance and reduced servicing.

Abstract: A titanium alloy tappet that is slidable at a high speed is provided by covering shortcomings of lightweight and high-strength titanium alloy. A surface 1A of at least a slidable portion of the tappet 1 for use with a valve system is subjected to a carburizing process.

Abstract: A laser type ignition device for an internal combustion engine includes a laser oscillator mounted in the internal combustion engine so as to focus its laser beam on an air-fuel mixture supplied into the combustion chamber, a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the combustion chamber, a power source for the laser oscillator and a control unit for controlling the power source to supply the laser oscillator with the current whose amount changes according to the pressure in the combustion chamber. The power of the laser beam increases as the pressure in the combustion chamber decreases to completely ignite the air-fuel mixture.

Abstract: An energy storing recoil starter includes a buffering component to reduce a pull effort when starting an engine. The energy storing recoil starter includes a starter housing coupled to an engine shaft of the engine and a starter pulley. A clutch assembly is coupled between the starter housing and the starter pulley to effect rotation of an engine shaft. The buffering component is coupled between the starter housing and the engine.

Abstract: A piston includes a spring acting between the piston crown and a connecting rod so as to bias the connecting rod away from the crown of the piston. The spring may include a pair of disc springs supported at their edge portions. The support may be a substantially annular support including a pair of rings fixed to the edge portions of the disc springs and an annular band that engages the rings and permits relative movement between the band and the rings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for robust controlled auto-ignition and spark ignited combustion controls in gasoline direct-injection engines, including transients, using either exhaust re-breathing or a combination of exhaust re-compression and re-breathing valve strategy. These methods are capable of enabling engine operation with either lean of stoichiometric or stoichiometric air/fuel ratio for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) control, with varying exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) rates and throttle valve positions for knock control, and with a combination of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) and spark ignition (SI) combustion modes to optimize fuel economy over a wide range of engine operating conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine with a fuel injection device with an injection nozzle having a nozzle needle and a plurality of injection bores. The injection nozzle is arranged to inject fuel into the combustion space in the form of a plurality of fuel jets as a main injection, as a post-injection and/or a preinjection. The injection bores of the injection nozzle are arranged in at least two different separately activatable rows of holes, an operating stroke of the nozzle needle being set by control unit as a function of a piston position and/or an operating point of the engine, and the rows of holes of the injection nozzle different injection-hole cone angles.

Abstract: A fuel injection controller of an in-cylinder injection engine determines that a combustion state has deteriorated and executes a split injection for injecting fuel in split amounts into each cylinder in multiple injection events in a cycle of the cylinder if it is determined that a combustion fluctuation is greater than a predetermined determination value during operation of the engine. The fuel injection controller increases a ratio of an injection amount of the first injection event in the split injection and lengthens an injection interval between the injection events as the combustion fluctuation increases. Thus, a wet amount of the injected fuel is reduced to expedite atomization of the injected fuel and to homogenize an in-cylinder mixture gas. As a result, the combustion state is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising a high-pressure accumulator injection system wherein the swept volume and the pressure are regulated by means of a volume flow control valve (VCV) and a pressure control valve (PCV). The inventive method consists in checking, during the overrun condition of the internal combustion engine, whether predetermined release conditions for carrying out the diagnosis are fulfilled, and in the event of a positive result, the control valve (VCV) is closed for a predetermined period of time (t1). During said period (t1), values relating to fuel pressure (FUP) are detected by means of the pressure sensor (21) and compared with a predetermined threshold value (FUP-SW), the control valve (VCV) being deemed faultless if said fuel pressure (FUP) values are sufficiently often below the threshold value (FUP_SW) during the cited period of time (t1).