Abstract: A mat-shaped solar heater having multiple parallel flow channels for a heat-carrying medium. Any two adjacent ones of the flow channels have a common linear divider and at least some of the dividers terminate short of an edge of the heater. Inlet and outlet conduits communicate with the interior of the heater for allowing the medium to be introduced into and to flow out of the flow channels. Discharge conduits are provided which communicate with the interior of the heater in the region of the edge in question. When the discharge conduits are closed, the inlet and outlet conduits form the sole communication between the interior and exterior of the heater, whereas when the discharge conduits are open, the medium may flow through these discharge conduits, thereby facilitating the removal of heat-carrying medium from the interior of the heater.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing useful heat from solar radiation and which in the operating position is oriented in an inclined plane. The apparatus includes a coilable conduit structure which is provided with an inlet and an outlet for a flowable heat carrier medium and is formed of two elongated flexible foils, with one being colored so as to absorb solar radiation, which are sealingly connected together along their edge regions and are sealingly connected together along lines in their center regions to form a plurality of parallel flow channels which extend along the longitudinal axis of the foils, and first and second transverse flow channels which connect the respective adjacent ends of said parallel flow channels together.

Abstract: An inlet and/or outlet manifold arrangement for use with a conduit system of a solar radiation collector. The arrangement has inlet and outlet manifolds which are held in a given position and which are connected to the conduit system, there being an inlet communicating with the inlet manifold and an outlet communicating with the outlet manifold. At least the inlet manifold is equipped with a riser having a height such that when the pressure in the conduit system exceeds a predetermined value, the riser serves as an overflow which allows liquid to escape from the inlet manifold and to flow into the outlet manifold.

Abstract: A spark ignited internal combustion engine includes a main combustion chamber, an auxiliary combustion chamber connected to the main combustion chamber, and fuel delivery means for supplying separate partial quantities of fuel to the main combustion chamber and auxiliary combustion chamber. Since the auxiliary combustion chamber is maintained at an elevated operating temperature and the partial quantity of fuel delivered to the auxiliary combustion chamber is an easily dissociable fuel, thermal dissociation of the easily dissociable fuel may occur prior to ignition.

Abstract: Device for producing usable heat from solar radiation comprising a carrier which is in heat conductive contact with a flowable heat carrier medium in a flexible conduit structure which has an inlet and an outlet and is on a surface of the carrier. The carrier is formed of a flexible material whereby the device including the conduit and the carrier is coilable into a roll.