Abstract: An cylinder inner pressure detector of an internal combustion engine includes: a reference voltage output circuit for outputting a reference voltage having a level, which is selected among multiple levels according to a switching signal; a level shift circuit for shifting a level of a sensor signal of an inner pressure sensor by a selected level of the reference voltage toward a signal potential side corresponding to a low pressure side of cylinder inner pressure; a first A/D converter circuit for converting the shifted sensor signal from an analog signal to a digital signal; and a controller for outputting the switching signal, which provides the reference voltage such that the reference voltage has the level on the signal potential side corresponding to the low pressure side from an offset voltage, and for detecting the cylinder inner pressure based on the digital signal output from the first A/D converter.

Abstract: A compression sensor gasket assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The compression sensor gasket assembly includes a gasket body having opposite sealing surfaces extending between an outer periphery and an inner periphery with the inner periphery bounding a through opening. The gasket body has a passage extending from the outer periphery through the inner periphery and a pressure sensor assembly releasably attached to the gasket body in the passage and being configured to sense pressure within the through opening. The pressure sensor assembly can be removed from the gasket body in service without having to disassemble clamped members from clamped abutment with the gasket assembly. Further, the pressure sensor assembly can be routed over a curved path extending between the outer and inner peripheries to navigate about features that may be present in the gasket body.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a Si device having a first main surface that has a bonded area, a second main surface parallel to the first main surface, a pressure-sensitive resistor formed on the first main surface, and a joining assist pattern formed on the first main surface, and a pressing member bonded to the bonded area on the first main surface and compressing the Si device in a thickness direction. The pressure-sensitive resistor has a first bonded section which is placed within the bonded area of the first main surface and is bonded to the pressing member. The joining assist pattern has a second bonded section which is made of the same material as the first bonded section of the pressure-sensitive resistor and is placed within the bonded area of the first main surface and is bonded to the pressing member.

Abstract: A device for detecting a combustion chamber pressure of an internal combustion engine includes a sensor housing which is designed to be at least partially introduced into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. On the combustion chamber side, the sensor housing has an opening which is closed by at least one diaphragm. At least one mechanical-electrical transducer element is accommodated inside the sensor housing. Furthermore, at least one transmission element is provided, which is implemented separately from the sensor housing, for transmitting a deformation of the diaphragm to the mechanical-electrical transducer element.

Abstract: A pressure-measuring plug comprises a plug body and a sensing structure. The plug body comprises a threaded plug body part comprising an external thread for screwing the plug body into a cylinder of the combustion engine, a sealing plug body part forming a tip of the plug and configured for providing a seal between the plug body and the combustion engine. The plug body further comprises a sensing body part positioned between the threaded plug body part and the sealing plug body part. The sensing body part is made from one piece and comprises a cylindrical body part; a moving part and the sensing structure.

Abstract: A compression sensor gasket assembly includes a pressure sensor assembly having an annular, radially extending pressure sensor seal seat and a gasket body having opposite sides extending between an opening configured to register with a cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine and an outer periphery. The opposite sides of the gasket body are spaced from one another adjacent the opening by a known thickness and a circumferentially enclosed passage extends between the opposite sides into the opening. The passage has an annular, radially extending gasket seal seat. The gasket seal seat is formed within a distance equal to or less than about 3 times the thickness of the gasket body and the pressure sensor assembly is received at least in part the passage with the sensor seal seat being brought into operably sealed engagement with the gasket seal seat.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor and an abnormality detection method for an in-cylinder pressure sensor that is able to detect preload loss abnormality of an in-cylinder pressure sensor. An in-cylinder pressure sensor has a strain gauge element to which preload was given. Under an operating state of an internal-combustion engine, it is judged whether Pim/Pex that is a ratio of intake pressure Pim to exhaust gas pressure Pex is 1. Reset of temperature drift is performed when Pim/Pex is 1. If an output voltage which serves as a base of calculation of Pim after the reset of a temperature drift is equal to a circuit limit value, existence of preload loss abnormality is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cylinder pressure sensor comprising a housing for clamping into a cylinder head, which carries a sensor element at a front end. According to the invention, the cylinder pressure sensor has a conical seat at the front end thereof.

Abstract: A sensor structure is disclosed, notably for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle. The sensor includes a sensor body having, at one end, an element sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and, at another end, a circuit for connecting it, placed outside the harsh environment, physically separated from each other, connected by means for transmitting data without a connection, and between which means are provided that are permeable to data, for protecting the connecting circuit from the environment.

Abstract: A compression sensor gasket assembly includes a gasket body having opposite substantially planar sealing surfaces configured for sealing abutment with an engine block and a cylinder head. The gasket body has at least one through opening configured to register with a cylinder bore and a passage extends from an outer periphery of the gasket body between the opposite sealing surfaces. The gasket assembly includes a mounting flange fixed to the gasket body. The mounting flange extends outwardly from one of the substantially planar sealing surfaces. A pressure sensor assembly extends through the passage, and a mounting member is releasably fixed to the mounting flange to operably fix the pressure sensor assembly to the gasket body. The pressure sensor assembly is readily accessible, such that during service the pressure sensor assembly can be removed and serviced without having to remove the cylinder head from the engine block.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for processing a signal supplied by a piezoelectric sensor (10) indicating the cylinder pressure of a piston engine such as a heat engine. Undesirable variations in the value of the signal supplied by the sensor and corresponding to plateaux in the pressure are compensated by a closed-loop servo control which is suitable for setting an output signal to a predetermined constant reference value, independently of undesirable variations in the signal from the sensor (10). The value of the output signal is sampled, and at each sampling moment, if the absolute value of the variation in the output signal is less than a comparison value, the servo control is kept active. A circuit for processing and a pressure-measuring device including a circuit of this kind is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the cylinder internal pressure of internal combustion engines and, in particular, of gas engines, said apparatus having a first valve (5) which opens into the cylinder interior space, a measurement chamber (6) which can be connected to the cylinder interior space (1a) and can be disconnected from the latter by means of the first valve (5), and a pressure sensor (8) which is arranged in the region of the measurement chamber (6) in order to measure the pressure in the cylinder interior space when the first valve (5) is open. Permanent operation without thermal overload is enabled in such a way that at least one second valve (13) is provided in the region of the measurement chamber (6), said second valve being able to be changed to a closed position at least when the first valve (5) is open in order to seal off the measurement chamber (6) towards the outside.

Abstract: A combustion chamber pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine, having a sensor body able to be inserted into a receiving bore of the internal combustion engine, which sensor body has on the side of the combustion chamber a sealing device for sealing the sensor body in the receiving bore, and which sensor body is provided with affixation means for fixing the combustion chamber pressure sensor in place inside the receiving bore. The sealing device includes at least one separately produced heat-resistant elastic sealing element, which is disposed around an outer jacket of the sensor body.

Abstract: An adapter for pressure sensors for monitoring long-term cylinder pressures in internal combustion engines comprises a housing with a gas duct, a connection to a cylinder cover of an internal combustion engine, a rear opening of the gas duct from the housing with an apparatus for closing this rear opening in a gastight manner, and a connection for inserting a pressure sensor with a sensor membrane. The transition line of the opening in the gas duct, which is reached by the sensor membrane in the inserted state in order to be exposed to the gas pressure in the gas duct, is on a plane. The transition line forms the transition from the contour of the gas duct to the connection to the sensor. There is a continuous transition from the sensor membrane to the contour of the gas duct.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an abnormality detection device for an in-cylinder pressure sensor and an abnormality detection method for an in-cylinder pressure sensor that is able to detect preload loss abnormality of an in-cylinder pressure sensor. An in-cylinder pressure sensor 5 has a strain gauge element 20 to which preload was given. Under an operating state of an internal-combustion engine, it is judged whether Pim/Pex that is a ratio of intake pressure Pim to exhaust gas pressure Pex is 1. Reset of temperature drift is performed when Pim/Pex is 1. If an output voltage V (Pim) which serves as a base of calculation of Pim after the reset of a temperature drift is equal to a circuit limit value Vmin, existence of preload loss abnormality is determined.

Abstract: A combustion pressure sensor (1) includes a housing (2) having an axial hole (23), a flexible member (8) fixed at one end to the housing (2) and being displaceable along the direction of axis (CL1), a pressure transmission body (3) whose outer circumferential surface is fixed to the other end of the flexible member (8), and a sensor element (42) fixed to the housing (2) and outputting a signal on the basis of a pressure applied thereto from the pressure transmission body (3). The housing (2) includes a main body portion (21) having a screw portion (24), and a cap member (22) having a press contact portion (26) which is pressed against the internal combustion engine when the screw portion (24) is screwed into the mounting hole of an internal combustion engine. The one end of the flexible member (8) is fixed to the main body portion (21).

Abstract: A sensor structure notably for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The sensor structure has a sensor body (1) having at one end an element (2) sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and at another end a connection circuit (3) for the latter, placed away from the harsh environment, and physically separated from one another. The sensor structure is connected by means for transmitting information by carrier current on an electrical conductor (5) of the sensor with which the sensitive element and the connection circuit are associated by wireless coupling means and between which are provided means (4) for protecting the connection circuit from the environment.

Abstract: A cylinder head compression sensor gasket assembly includes a gasket body having a sealing portion configured to be clamped between an engine block and a cylinder head. The sealing portion has a plurality of through openings configured to register with separate cylinder bore in the engine block wherein the sealing portion establishes a gas-tight seal about the through passages. A plurality of pressure sensor assemblies are attached in sealed engagement with the gasket body with at least one of the pressure sensor assemblies being configured to sense pressure within a separate one of the through openings. An electrical connector is supported on the gasket body radially outwardly from the sealing portion. The electrical connector is configured in electrical communication with each of the pressure sensor assemblies. Accordingly, the electrical connector is accessible without having to disassemble the gasket body from being clamped between the cylinder head and the engine block.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring pressure comprises a housing and an actuator pressure sealed to the housing and having a shaft. The actuator is configured to be in pressure communication with a volume of gas or liquid. Upon a change in pressure, the actuator is displaced at least partially in the axial direction. A sensor detects axial displacement of a magnetically encoded target upon the change in pressure in the volume. A device for measuring pressure in an engine cylinder comprises a valve in pressure communication with an engine cylinder. The valve stem has a magnetic coding located adjacent a sensor. Axial displacement of the stem under cylinder pressure is detected and pressure is obtained.

Abstract: A device for measuring pressures inside an internal combustion engine, includes an outer housing having: a first tubular area (16) in which a lug (4) is received and a second tubular area (40) having an outer diameter larger than that of the first tubular area (16), the second tubular area (40) including an element (12) for securing the same in a bore as well as a conical bearing surface (36). The conical bearing surface (36) is formed at the end of an annular skirt (38) defining an extension of the second tubular area (40) and surrounding the first tubular area (16) while leaving a free gap (44) between the skirt (38) and the first tubular area (16).

Abstract: In a monitoring system and method for monitoring pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, a sensor is operable to sense movement of a valve while the valve is in its closed position. The sensor generates data indicative of the sensed movement of the valve. A control system is in communication with the sensor to receive the data indicative of the sensed movement of the valve in the closed position thereof. The control system is operable to determine the pressure in the combustion chamber based at least in part on the sensed movement of the valve. In other aspects, operation of the engine is adjusted based at least in part on the determined pressure in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An arrangement and method for providing compensation to a cyclical input signal is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a first detection unit (20) for detecting a first event in a cyclical output signal; a compensation signal generation unit (14) for generating a compensation signal; and a signal combination unit (8) for combining the compensation signal and the cyclical input signal to obtain the cyclical output signal. The compensation signal generation unit (14) is arranged to adjust the compensation signal at an instant which has a determined relationship with the detection of the first event. By adjusting the compensation signal at the right instant in a cycle of the cyclical output signal, the adjustment will not influence the further processing of the cyclical output signal. The method can be used to compensate the offset and sensitivity characteristics of a sensor.

Abstract: A control module for determining a time and angle based cylinder pressure includes a crankshaft position determination module that determines a first crankshaft position in an engine at a first time, a time-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines N time-based cylinder pressures in the engine at N times, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and an angle-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines an angle-based cylinder pressure at the first crankshaft position based on the first time, the N cylinder pressures, and the N times.

Abstract: A compression sensor gasket assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The compression sensor gasket assembly includes a gasket body having opposite sealing surfaces extending between an outer periphery and an inner periphery with the inner periphery bounding a through opening. The gasket body has a passage extending from the outer periphery through the inner periphery and a pressure sensor assembly releasably attached to the gasket body in the passage and being configured to sense pressure within the through opening. The pressure sensor assembly can be removed from the gasket body in service without having to disassemble clamped members from clamped abutment with the gasket assembly. Further, the pressure sensor assembly can be routed over a curved path extending between the outer and inner peripheries to navigate about features that may be present in the gasket body.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining the trouble of a cylinder pressure sensor without increasing cost calculates the cylinder pressure of an internal combustion engine based on an output from the cylinder sensor installed in the engine and calculates a drift parameter indicating the drift amount of the cylinder pressure based on the cylinder pressure. When the drift parameter is not within a specified range, the device determines that the cylinder pressure sensor is defective. The specified range can be set based on the behavior of the cylinder pressure. A correction factor is obtained according to the operating state of the engine, and the drift parameter is corrected with the correction factor. A specified search signal is superimposed on the output from the cylinder pressure sensor. The cylinder pressure is calculated based on the output from the cylinder pressure sensor on which the search signal was superimposed.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing between combustion issues and sensor faults within an engine includes monitoring pressure sensor data from a cylinder within the engine, monitoring engine data describing combustion health from a source other than a pressure sensor, analyzing the pressure sensor data to diagnose an anomalous combustion event, comparing the anomalous combustion event to analysis of the engine data, and indicating a pressure sensor fault warning if the comparison diagnoses a pressure sensor fault.

Abstract: A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head as well as a fixing zone including elements (12, 13) for being fixed in a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head, and a pressure sensor (8) sealingly insulated from the corresponding cylinder. The arm (4) is fixed to an elastically deformable tubular zone (17) designed to project inside the cylinder. The pressure sensor (8) is mounted between the arm (4) and a support component (18) fixed inside the tubular body (2).

Abstract: A compression sensor gasket and method of construction thereof is provided. The gasket has a body with opposite sealing surfaces and a through passage configured to align with a chamber to be sealed. A through opening extends between the sealing surfaces to the through passage and has an annular chamfered surface. A pressure sensor assembly having a housing and a pressure sensor extending at least partially through the housing is disposed in the through opening. The pressure sensor has a pressure sensor tip configured to sense pressure within the chamber to be sealed. The housing has an outer annular tapered surface configured to register in radial alignment with the chamfered surface to facilitate forming a hermetic seal between the pressure sensor assembly and the gasket body.

Abstract: A combustion chamber pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine, having a sensor body able to be inserted into a receiving bore of the internal combustion engine, which sensor body has on the side of the combustion chamber a sealing device for sealing the sensor body in the receiving bore, and which sensor body is provided with affixation means for fixing the combustion chamber pressure sensor in place inside the receiving bore. The sealing device includes at least one separately produced heat-resistant elastic sealing element, which is disposed around an outer jacket of the sensor body.

Abstract: A pressure sensor has a Si device having a first main surface that has a bonded area, a second main surface parallel to the first main surface, a pressure-sensitive resistor formed on the first main surface, and a joining assist pattern formed on the first main surface, and a pressing member bonded to the bonded area on the first main surface and compressing the Si device in a thickness direction. The pressure-sensitive resistor has a first bonded section which is placed within the bonded area of the first main surface and is bonded to the pressing member. The joining assist pattern has a second bonded section which is made of the same material as the first bonded section of the pressure-sensitive resistor and is placed within the bonded area of the first main surface and is bonded to the pressing member.

Abstract: A compression tester adapter assembly is provided for use with both 12 millimeter and 16 millimeter spark plug sockets in an internal combustion engine cylinder head. An adapter has a leading cylindrical portion including one set of external threads configured with a nominal diameter of 12 millimeters, and a trailing cylindrical portion spaced from the leading cylindrical portion and including another set of external threads configured with a nominal diameter of 16 millimeters. The axial spacing between a first leading full thread on the 12 millimeter threads and a first leading full thread on the 16 millimeter threads lies in the critical range of 0.636?-0.737?. A hose has opposite ends attached to the adapter and a connector.

Abstract: A piezoresistive pressure-measuring plug (100) for a combustion engine for measuring a pressure is disclosed. The piezoresistive pressure-measuring plug (100) comprises: a plug body (106, 108, 110) for insertion into a cylinder of the combustion engine, a rod (102) that is arranged in the plug body (106, 108, 110), a sensing structure (104) comprising a piezoresistive element, that is arranged between the rod (102) and the plug body (106, 108, 110) in such a way that the sensing structure is acted upon, in use, by the pressure prevailing in the combustion chamber of the cylinder, whereby the rod (102) transmits the pressure in the combustion chamber of the cylinder to the sensing structure due to the pressure in the combustion chamber leading to an axial motion of the rod (102) relative to the plug body (106, 108, 110) so as to apply a force to the sensing structure (104) and a PWB (114) provided with sensor electronics for measuring and conditioning a resistance change.

Abstract: A control module for determining a time and angle based cylinder pressure includes a crankshaft position determination module that determines a first crankshaft position in an engine at a first time, a time-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines N time-based cylinder pressures in the engine at N times, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and an angle-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines an angle-based cylinder pressure at the first crankshaft position based on the first time, the N cylinder pressures, and the N times.

Abstract: A pencil-type glow plug for a self-igniting internal combustion engine is described. The pencil-type glow plug includes a plug body in which a combustion chamber pressure sensor is integrated, and a bar-shaped heating element that protrudes out from the plug body at one end, into the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. A force-measuring element of the combustion chamber pressure sensor is accommodated behind the heating element, which moves axially under the influence of force. The force-measuring element is sealed against combustion chamber gases by a steel diaphragm made of a stainless precipitation-hardened maraging steel.

Abstract: A NOx mass estimating unit for estimating the NOx mass output from a compression-ignition combustion engine, the engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, each cylinder comprising a combustion chamber into which fuel is injected by an associated fuel injector, said estimating unit comprising inputs for receiving data related to engine rotation and data related to in-cylinder pressure, and a processing arrangement arranged to determine a NOx mass output value in dependence on said data related to engine rotation and data related to in-cylinder pressure.

Abstract: A combustion pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine includes a heat releasing member disposed between a housing and a pressure transmitting member at a position forward of a load detecting section and slidable relative to the pressure transmitting member for releasing heat through heat transfer from combustion gas, which has entered an axial hole of the housing from the combustion chamber, to the housing.

Abstract: A method for correcting a measured cylinder pressure of an internal combustion engine, in which a cylinder pressure sensor is connected to a combustion chamber via a duct, disturbing portions resulting from whistle oscillations being suppressed by determining an oscillation frequency of a gas oscillation caused in the duct during a power stroke and filtering the measurement values of the cylinder pressure sensor using a band-stop filter having the previously determined oscillation frequency.

Abstract: A combustion pressure sensor has a cylindrical housing having a fixing functional member fixed to an engines head, and a sealing functional member disposed on the inner side of the fixing member, a transmission member disposed on the inner side of the sealing member through an opening to face a combustion chamber and to be movable along the axial direction, a detecting unit disposed between the sealing member and the transmission member to detect a combustion pressure in the combustion chamber in response to the movement of the transmission member, and a seal member for shielding the opening from the combustion chamber. The members are connected with each other at a connection area such that extension and contraction in the axial direction in each of the functional members is independent of the other one.

Abstract: A device for measuring the pressure in a gas, wherein the device comprises: a framework, a channel extending through the framework, the channel comprising in the axial direction a introductory section including an opening for receiving the gas, a measuring section having a wall, and a final section, the end of which is closed during measuring, measuring units for measuring radial forces acting on the wall of the measuring section, the measuring unit comprising a measuring body standing in mechanical contact with a first portion of the wall of the measuring section, a cooling body for transporting heat from the walls of the measuring section to the framework, wherein the cooling body is standing in thermal contact with a second portion of the wall of the measuring section and with the framework.

Abstract: A pressure sensor for use in an engine by installation of the pressure sensor into an installation hole of an engine head is provided. The pressure sensor includes: a body having a first end; a pressure receiving diaphragm disposed in the first end; a sealing surface disposed on the side surface of the body; and an expansion member, which is disposed on the side surface of the body so that, with respect to the first end of the body, the expansion member is located closer than the sealing surface. When heat is generated by an engine operation after the installation of the first end of the body into the installation hole, the expansion member expands due to the heat to fill in a space between an inner surface of the installation hole and a side surface of the body.

Abstract: A glow plug includes: a tubular body (2) having at one of its ends a plug head (10) as well as a zone for being fixed into a bore, an arm (4) mounted on the body (2) of the plug at the end opposite to the plug head (10), and secured to the body (2) in a linking zone (16), an elastically deformable portion (18), located between the linking zone (16) with the arm (4) and the zone fixing the plug body (2), such that the linking zone (16) is mobile and can move longitudinally relative to the so-called stationary fixing zone, and a pressure sensor (8) arranged between an element (30) secured to the linking zone (16) and a fixed element (20) of the plug.

Abstract: Controlling fluid regulation may provide increased efficiency and reliability. In one general aspect, a system and process for fluid regulation may include the ability to receive a command signal, generate a control signal based on the command signal, and move a magnetizable element relative to a wire coil in accordance with the control signal, the movement affecting a pressure in a pressure cavity. The system and process may also include the ability to sense the pressure in the pressure cavity due to the position of the magnetizable element and adjust the control signal based on the sensed pressure and the command signal. The system and process may further include the ability to sense a second parameter of the fluid regulation system and adjust the command signal based on the second parameter.

Abstract: A sensor structure is disclosed, notably for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle. The sensor includes a sensor body having, at one end, an element sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and, at another end, a circuit for connecting it, placed outside the harsh environment, physically separated from each other, connected by means for transmitting data without a connection, and between which means are provided that are permeable to data, for protecting the connecting circuit from the environment.

Abstract: A sensor made of a single-crystal, piezoelectric material for measuring the pressure in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a pressure transmission pin, a displaceably mounted heating pin protruding into the combustion chamber being provided as the pressure transmission pin, and the sensor being friction-locked with the heating pin. The sensor is preferably situated between the heating pin and a rigid thrust bearing. The single-crystal piezoelectric material of the sensor is preferably made of lithium niobate (LiNbO3). A particularly high sensitivity of the sensor is achieved by the use of a Z-cut or Y-cut piezoelectric material.

Abstract: A device and a method for determining the trouble of a cylinder pressure sensor. The device accurately detecting the trouble of the cylinder sensor without increasing cost calculates the cylinder pressure of an internal combustion engine based on an output from the cylinder sensor installed in the internal combustion engine and calculates a drift parameter indicating the drift amount of the cylinder pressure based on the cylinder pressure. When the drift parameter is not within a specified range, the device determines that the cylinder pressure sensor is defective. According to one embodiment, the specified range can be set based on the behavior of the cylinder pressure. According to the other embodiment, a correction factor is obtained according to the operating state of the internal combustion engine, and the drift parameter is corrected with the correction factor.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring the pressure in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, by the use of which a high measuring accuracy may be achieved, based on high measuring sensitivity and great thermal stability. In addition, the construction of the sensor system makes possible great system flexibility, and particularly very space-saving installation in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The isentropic exponent (?) and the constant (k) in the equation p·V?=k for processes before and after fuel combustion in the cylinder are determined on the basis of the signals from a cylinder pressure sensor and from a crankshaft sensor. Cylinder pressures (p) before and after fuel combustion can be determined through the equation with the corresponding isentropic exponents (?) and corresponding constants. During fuel combustion, cylinder pressure (p) is sensed by the cylinder pressure sensor. The ratio between the fuel mass burned in the cylinder of the internal combustion engine and the fuel mass (MBR) supplied to the cylinder is determined on the basis of the above-mentioned variables. The process has the advantage of reducing the computation outlay necessary to determine the ratio between the fuel mass burned in the cylinder of the internal combustion engine and the fuel mass (MBR) supplied to the cylinder.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having at least two combustion chambers, the internal combustion engine having at least one sensor for detecting a parameter partially characterizing the course of combustion, in particular a parameter correlating with an internal combustion chamber pressure. The sensor is situated in a region of the internal combustion engine between two mutually adjacent combustion chambers.