Abstract: Combined cycle solar power generation is achieved using a primary cycle based on a solar receiver, such as a volumetric absorber, in which compressed air is heated by concentrated solar radiation, coupled with a secondary cycle based on a water/steam circuit driven by exhaust gas from the primary cycle. When the primary cycle is inactive, typically at night time, the secondary cycle can be driven by accessing a heat store of liquid or solid heat storage material, such as a molten salt or concrete blocks, which has been heated earlier during day time operation. The water/steam circuit is reconfigurable between first and second switching conditions, wherein in the first switching condition heat is transferred directly or indirectly from the primary cycle to heat the heat storage material, and in the second switching condition stored heat is transferred from the heat storage material to the water/steam circuit in order to generate steam.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat including a foldable backrest and a lowerable seat part, wherein the backrest is foldable toward the seat part and a mechanism is provided so the seat part is lowerable from a use position into a forward position, wherein a coupling element is provided to couple folding-down of the backrest to forward movement and lowering of the seat part, and a locking mechanism is provided to lock the seat part in the use position. The coupling element may unlock the locking mechanism as the backrest is folded forward toward the seat part at a predefined angle of inclination, so that inclination of the backrest can be changed while the seat part is locked by folding the backrest forward to the predefined angle of inclination and the unlocked seat part is lowered into the forward position by folding the backrest further forward.

Abstract: A trough-shaped collector for solar radiation for steam generation. A trough-shaped mirror extending in a longitudinal direction receives and reflects radiation onto an absorber line enclosing within its interior a steam generator tube. Heat is transferred transversely from the absorber line to the steam generator tube by a heat pipe structure.

Abstract: A trough-shaped collector for solar radiation for steam generation. A trough-shaped mirror extending in a longitudinal direction receives and reflects radiation onto an absorber line enclosing within its interior a steam generator tube in which water is heated, vaporized and superheated. Heat is transferred transversely from the absorber line to the steam generator tube by heat pipe segments spaced longitudinally along the absorber line.