Abstract: The present invention provides a kind of foldable pet cage, including a folding back frame, a rotatable seat board, a decorating facet and a foldable fence component. The rotatable seat board has a supporting board and a pivot side hinged on the landing board of the folding back frame so that the rotatable seat board can be rotated to the horizontal using status or to the vertical position to close the folding space of the folding back frame. The decorating facet is configured on the outside of the rotatable seat board. The foldable fence component has a front fence and two side fences. When folded, the foldable pet cage can be transformed into a decorative ornament, and as the fence components are completely housed and concealed, there will be no odor diffusion.

Abstract: A safe, outdoor habitat is provided where an indoor cat can spend a few hours of its day outdoors in a relative safe environment. The habitat comprises a frame, a plurality of screened vertical panels, a screened top panel, and a climbable member, the frame being made of a durable material such as untreated cedar. The vertical and top screened panels are removable secured to the frame such that the structure defines a screened geometric structure. Doors are situated on one of the vertical panels, thereby defining a front of the structure with an entrance. Thus a house cat can be safely and securely placed within the habitat structure by its owner; the cat can roam within the habitat structure and experience the outdoors; and the cat can climb the climbing member while the owner can monitor and view the activities of the cat through the animal resistant screen.

Abstract: A portable pet housing for accommodating a pet includes a body including a bottom, a front wall and a rear wall. The front wall and rear wall are attached to the bottom. A sidewall extends between the front wall and the rear wall. The walls define an opening for the body opposite the bottom. The opening is covered by a top which is selectively attachable to the front wall and the rear wall. The top includes support structure for maintaining the front wall and the rear wall substantially perpendicular to the bottom when the top is attached to the front wall and the rear wall. When the top is removed from the front wall and the rear wall, the walls are foldable on top of the bottom wall.

Abstract: A protective garment for domesticated animals, such as canines, is provided which incorporates a built-in harness. The harness, which may be hidden from view, connects at the animal's back and has a leash connector for connecting a leash to the harness.

Abstract: The present invention provides a heating device of a drinking fountain in a car. It has a helical pipe, a wire net, an iron container, fireproof mud and a car exhaust pipe. The helical pipe is installed outside the car exhaust pipe and the wire net is used to cover the pipes. The iron container covers the wire net, the helical pipe and the car exhaust pipe. Fireproof mud is poured into the reserved space in the iron container and it is sealed completely. One end of the helical pipe is a water outlet, while the other end is a water intake. The car exhaust pipe generates high temperature and heats the helical pipe which is insulated by fireproof mud. When users push the drinking fountain switch, a motor will operate to pump out water from water storage. The water is heated when it goes by the helical pipe.

Abstract: A high-efficiency hot-water boiler for a heating system of a building is provided. The boiler includes a boiler enclosure that contains a furnace area compartment within an insulated sealed casing, a first watertube compartment within a sealed casing, a second watertube compartment within a sealed casing, and an air-to-air preheat exchanger within a sealed casing. A plurality of separate, closely-spaced watertubes extends within each of the compartments and provides paths for working fluid to flow through the compartments for purposes of transferring heat to the working fluid. A burner is located within the furnace area compartment for combusting an air/gas mixture.

Abstract: A boiler is provided that has an elongate base header, an elongate dome header, and a plurality of separate watertubes each having an intermediate section and opposite end sections. An upper one of the end sections of each watertube is connected to the dome header and a lower one of the end sections of each watertube is connected to the base header such that the intermediate section extends through a combustion chamber of the boiler. The intermediate section of each watertube has a substantially constant outer diameter along its full length and is closely spaced to adjacent watertubes within the combustion chamber. At least one of the end sections of each watertube has a transition that reduces the diameter of the watertube as it extends from the intermediate section to an outwardly-extending circumferential flange. This arrangement permits close spacing of the connection sites of the watertubes to the header and permits the connection sites to be provided in a linear array.

Abstract: A pump attaching portion is formed at a specified outside portion of an engine body beside a boss portion of a cylinder-head fastening bolt in such a manner that the pump attaching portion is continuous from the boss portion. The pump attaching portion has an attachment face, which contains a cooling-water introducing port, which is located on the outside of the flange wall and faces toward an engine front side in such a manner that the position of the attachment face is retreated from the flange wall. Accordingly, the sufficient pump-support rigidity can be ensured, restraining the pump attaching portion from projecting greatly toward the side of the engine body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilation device (5) for ventilating a crankcase (6) of an internal combustion engine (1), particularly in a motor vehicle, comprising a ventilation line (26), which is connected at the input side to the crankcase (6) of the internal combustion engine (1) in the mounted state, and which is connected at the output side to a fresh gas line (3) feeding fresh gas to the internal combustion engine (1), a ventilation line (27), which in the mounted state is connected to the fresh gas line (3) at the input side and to the crankcase (6) at the output side. A separator (28) is arranged in the ventilation line (26) to remove pollution from the gas that is discharged from the crankcase (6) and a pressure valve (3) is arranged in the ventilation line (26) to control the gas volume discharged from the crankcase (6).

Abstract: A six-stroke engine cycle having improved efficiency. Heat is recovered from the engine combustion gases by using a 6-stroke engine cycle in which combustion gases are partially vented proximate the bottom-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle, and water is injected proximate the top-dead-center position of the fourth stroke cycle.

Abstract: An improved low heat rejection high efficiency engine system for an insulated two stroke internal combustion engine which includes an insulation component provided in association with at least one combustion chamber in order to minimise heat loss during operation, the system having at least one inlet port fluidly connected to a transfer port from a pumping cylinder for inlet of a fresh charge in an induction portion of the operation cycle, the inlet port opened and closed during the operation cycle by an inlet valve, characterized in that the period for which the inlet valve is open during the operation cycle is less than 180° of rotation.

Abstract: A valve characteristic controller including an oil pump, a valve timing varying mechanism, and a valve timing control unit is disclosed. The valve timing varying mechanism varies the valve characteristic value of intake valves in an engine based on the hydraulic pressure of hydraulic oil supplied from the oil pump. The valve timing control unit includes a storage and a detector. The storage stores computation maps used to calculate a target value for the valve characteristic value based on a plurality of engine control values. The detector detects the temperature of the hydraulic oil. The computation maps include a first map and a second map. The varying amount of the valve characteristic amount corresponding to a change in the engine control value in a low speed range of the engine speed is set to be smaller in the second map than the first map.

Abstract: An apparatus for variably adjusting the control times of gas exchange valves in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus has a driving element, an output element, at least one pressure chamber, a pressurized medium supply device, and at least one pressure accumulator. The pressurized medium supply device allows pressurized medium to be fed to or discharged from the at least one pressure chamber. A phase angle of the output element relative to the driving element can be changed by supplying or discharging pressurized medium to or from the pressure chamber. The pressure accumulator encompasses a movable element that has a first pressure surface which partially delimits a storage space. The storage space is connected to the pressurized medium supply device. The movable element can be moved against the force of an energy store by pressurizing the storage space.

Abstract: A vane rotor includes a vane to partition an advance chamber from a retard chamber. A valve element communicates a lock port with an exhaust port to drain a fluid from the lock port when moving in a first region including an end of a movable range in the first direction. The regulating member moves in the vane rotor in a thrust direction into a recess dented from an inner surface of the housing by being biased from a resilient member to lock the rotation phase in a regulation phase in the first region when a fluid is drained from the lock chamber. The valve element is configured to communicate an operation port with a supply port to supply a fluid into the advance chamber when being in a throttle region in the first region such that a flow of a fluid supplied to the advance chamber is throttled to be less than a flow of a fluid when the valve element is in the end of the movable range in the first direction.

Abstract: The invention provides a phase variable device for use with a car engine, capable of preventing the phase angle of the camshaft from varying relative to the first circular rotational body even if the camshaft is subjected to the reaction of a valve spring, and capable of reducing the impulsive generated in the phase variable device and delivered to the engine. MEANS FOR ACHIEVING THE OBJECT The objects can be achieved by the inventive phase variable device which includes: a first rotational body, an intermediate rotational bode integral with the camshaft of an engine, a second rotational body, all rotatably arranged on the same camshaft, the device adapted to control phase angle of the second rotational body, thereby varying the phase angle of the intermediate rotational body. The second rotational body is placed in substantial contact with the inside of the hollow cylindrical section of the intermediate rotational body.

Abstract: A valve control apparatus is provided for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a variable phase angle mechanism configured to continuously change a valve opening phase angle of a valve, a variable valve mechanism configured to continuously change at least one of a valve opening duration and a valve lift of the valve, and a controller configured to control the variable phase angle mechanism and the variable valve mechanism. The variable phase angle mechanism is configured to set the valve opening phase angle at a retarded phase angle in a startup operation as compared with a normal phase angle in a normal operation. After an engine stop command is generated, the controller controls the variable valve mechanism such that an integrated valve opening value is increased to be larger than an idle state integrated valve opening value in an idle state.

Abstract: A cam carrier assembly may include at least a cam carrier mounted on a cylinder head and including a support, an actuator shaft, a portion of which is mounted in the support and rotatable to control a valve life, and a cap mounted on the cylinder head and coupled to the at least a cam carrier to rotatably support the portion of the actuator shaft and surrounding and rotatably supporting the other portion of the actuator shaft, which is not surrounded by the support.

Abstract: A method for treating waste cooking oil is disclosed, the method comprising subjecting the waste cooking oil to a first separation comprising a settling treatment at ambient temperatures to produce an oil fraction and a sludge fraction; and subjecting the oil fraction so recovered to a second separation comprising filtration. An apparatus for refining waste cooking oil comprises a settling system for separating the waste cooking oil into an oil fraction and a sludge fraction; a filtration system for filtering the oil fraction. The oil fraction recovered is particularly suitable for use as a fuel for an internal combustion engine and as a replacement for diesel in operating diesel engines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising a reciprocating water gas shift reactor; the water gas shift reactor being operative at speeds down to about 1 revolution per minute, while converting carbon monoxide (CO) and steam (H2O) into carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2). Disclosed herein too is a system comprising a hydrogen engine, or fuel cell with electric motor, and a water gas shift reactor; the hydrogen engine, or fuel cell with electric motor being in operative to drive the water gas shift reactor at speeds down to about 1 revolution per minute; and operative to convert carbon monoxide (CO) and steam (H2O), into carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2).

Abstract: A plasma generating device including: a supply circuit including a switch controlled by a control signal for applying an intermediate voltage on an output of the control circuit at a frequency defined by the control signal; a plurality of plasma-generating plug coils arranged in parallel on the output via connectors, each connector being adapted to be removably connected to a corresponding plug coil and including a mechanism adapted to offset the resonance frequency of the plug coil so that each plug coil has a distinct resonance frequency; a control device of the supply circuit, that determines the control frequency from the resonance frequencies of the plug coils to selectively control the plug coils according to the control frequency used.

Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder head at least partially defining a valve seat pocket. A valve seat is located proximate to the cylinder head to at lest partially define the valve seat pocket. A pocket filler is located between the valve seat and the pocket insert such that the pocket filler occupies a substantial portion of the valve seat pocket. A pocket insert is attached to the cylinder head proximate to the valve seat pocket, such that the pocket insert lines at least a portion of the valve seat pocket.

Abstract: Providing a gas engine in which the drain oil in the blow-by gas as a lubricant is mixed into the air fuel-gas mixture, the lubricant actively lubricating the bearing surfaces of the wear parts such as the valve seats and valve guides as to the intake-air valve and the exhaust gas valve, so that the lubricating device improves the engine lubricating conditions.

Abstract: A rotary piston internal combustion engine of the Wankel type has a housing (1) with a two lobed epitrochoidal inner peripheral surface (14) a shaft (8) journalled in end casings (3, 4), a rotor (9) eccentrically mounted on the shaft (8) and geared to rotate at one third speed of the shaft (8) whereby working chambers (34, 35, 36) are formed between flanks of the rotor (9) and the end casings (3, 4), which chambers vary in volume as the rotor (9) rotates, the rotor (9) being cooled by a cooling medium in a generally closed cooling circuit, the medium being circulated by a circulating pump (27), via connecting passageways (20, 18) in the end casings (3, 4) and an internal passageway (21) of the rotor (9), and through an external cooling heat exchanger (24), the cooling medium being blow-by gasses from the high pressure working chambers, which gasses have leaked past the rotor side seals (26) into the rotor cooling passages.

Abstract: An engine mode control system for an internal combustion engine includes a transition control module and an intake cam phaser control module. The transition control module controls a transition from a first engine mode to a second engine mode and determines a desired air mass. The engine is operated at a first air/fuel ratio (AFR) in the first engine mode and at a second AFR in the second engine mode. The desired air mass is based on the second AFR. The intake cam phaser control module adjusts the intake cam phaser based on the desired air mass during the transition.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, on a cylinder head side, a tumble flow is formed that is directed from an intake vent opened on the cylinder head to an exhaust vent opened on the cylinder head. A direct injection valve injects fuel directly into a combustion space. The direct injection valve injects the fuel toward a section where a piston top surface intersects with a cylinder inner surface, at a point closer to an intake top dead center than a middle between the intake top dead center and an intake bottom dead center, and thereafter injects the fuel into the combustion space again.

Abstract: In one example, a method is described for operating an engine of a vehicle, the engine having a combustion chamber. The method may include controlling a stability of the vehicle in response to a vehicle acceleration; and adjusting dilution in the combustion chamber of the engine to reduce surge in response to the vehicle acceleration. The dilution may be adjusted by adjusting cam timing, for example.

Abstract: A method and device using at least one groove created in the throttle body wall is described. It is believed that the this throttle body modification that can increase gas mileage, increase horsepower, increase torque, reduce emissions and/or reduce the carbon foot print of a machine such as an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Fault detection and response systems and processes can be used for pumps, e.g., pump/motors used in hybrid vehicles. The fault detection systems determine when certain operating conditions, which may affect the proper operation of the system, occur. The response systems take appropriate action based on which fault conditions are triggered. Example fault detection systems and processes include detection systems for different types of leaks, sensor malfunctions, or operation errors.

Abstract: It is equipped with an injector body 4z which has formed therein high-pressure paths 6az, 6bz, and 6cz through which high-pressure fuel flows to a spray hole and stores therein a piezo-actuator 2z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) and a back-pressure control mechanism 3z (i.e., an opening/closing mechanism) which open or close the spray hole, and a fuel pressure sensor 50z installed in the body 4z to measure the pressure of the high-pressure fuel. The body 4z has formed therein a branch path 6ez diverging from the high-pressure paths 6bz and 6cz to deliver the high-pressure fuel to the fuel pressure sensor 50z.

Abstract: A coupling device for hydraulically and mechanically coupling an injection valve to a fuel rail of a combustion engine has a fuel injector cup with a central longitudinal axis, is hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail and in engagement with the injection valve. A first retaining element is fixedly coupled to the fuel injector cup, a second retaining element is fixedly coupled to the injection valve, the second retaining element being coupled to the first retaining element to prevent a movement of the second retaining element relative to the first retaining element in a first direction of the central longitudinal axis to retain the injection valve in the fuel injector cup, and an interface element which is operable to axially couple the injection valve with the second retaining element in a fixed way. Fuel injection arrangement with a coupling device and an injection valve which is coupled to the coupling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel injector comprising a nozzle retainer or an injector body, a valve body and a nozzle body, in which a preferably needle-shaped injection valve member is arranged to be vertically movable, said member releasing or closing at least one injection port leading to a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine depending on the pressure relief of or the pressure load on a control chamber. The invention is characterized in that a valve comprising a preferably ball-shaped valve element is arranged in the nozzle retainer or in the injector body for the pressure relief of the control chamber.

Abstract: A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within a nozzle cavity formed in a nozzle housing containing a nozzle valve element. The hydraulic link assembly is positioned close to the injector orifices to minimize needle valve element length and mass, thereby reducing seat impact forces and enhance response time. A refill valve operates to move into an open position to refill a hydraulic link chamber. An actuator power source operates to vary voltage to cause multiple injection pulses and to selectively maintain the voltage above a predetermined lower level between injection pulses to maintain the refill valve in a closed position to prevent refilling of the hydraulic link chamber.

Abstract: In a common rail internal combustion engine having a pressure increase mechanism, when the pressure increase mechanism is activated, fuel is injected according to a target injection quantity determined by adding an increase in injection quantity calculated depending on a load on a supply pump to a demanded injection quantity.

Abstract: A detection circuit for providing indications of a rotational speed and a temperature of a supercharging system for an internal combustion engine is provided, which detection circuit includes: a rotational speed sensor for providing a periodic detection signal having a frequency dependent on a rotational speed in the supercharging system; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature in the supercharging system; and a modification unit for providing a periodic output signal having a periodicity dependent on the periodic detection signal, and for setting a time length of a signal pulse of the periodic output signal as a function of the detected temperature, so that the periodic output signal provides the rotational speed indication by its periodicity and the temperature indication by the time length of the signal pulse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling the intake of a supercharged engine comprising a cylinder (10) with at least two intake pipes (12, 14) associated with their intake valves (16, 18) and connected to an intake distributor (30), and at least one exhaust pipe (20) with its exhaust valve (22), a method according to which, before the end of the exhaust phase of said engine, an exhaust gas scavenging operation is carried out by overlap of exhaust valve (22) and intake valve (16) and, at the end of the scavenging operation, a stage of fuel mixture preparation is performed for combustion of this mixture in said cylinder.

Abstract: An engine includes a charging system in which pressurized air is supplied to an intake side of the engine through an intake air passage. An induction passage branches and extends from the middle of the intake air passage and is provided with a control valve. The induction passage is in communication with an exhaust passage. The induction passage supplies secondary air to the exhaust passage through the control valve to treat the engine's exhaust gas.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. One example exhaust system may include an EGR line configured to route a selected amount of exhaust gases from an exhaust passage of the engine toward an intake passage of the engine. A gas component reduction element may be located on the EGR line, and may be configured to reduce a quantity of one or more selected components from the selected amount of exhaust gases. A treated exhaust line may be coupled with the EGR line, and may be configured to route a first portion of the selected amount of the exhaust gases from the gas component reduction element to pass into the intake passage of the engine, and to allow a second portion of the selected amount of the exhaust gases to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation valve is fabricated by fitting a valve head 24 and a cover 32 enclosing a valve rod 25 into a supporting section 31 provided at the tip of the valve rod 25, and caulking the supporting section 31 to secure the valve rod 25 and the cover 32 to the supporting section 31.

Abstract: A gasket for an internal combustion engine comprises a sheet portion and a PCV impaction surface formed in the sheet portion. The PCV impaction surface is configured to extend across, and partially close, a crankcase ventilation system passage. A plurality of apertures extend through the PCV impaction surface and are configured to allow crankcase gas to flow freely in the crankcase ventilation system passage while the PCV impaction surface is configured to separate oil droplets from the crankcase gas by impaction of the droplets with the surface.

Abstract: A device for recovering the oil contained in the combustion gas leaving the engine, includes at least one orifice (6) for collecting incoming gas, a flow channel (10) for the incoming gas, at least one gas outlet orifice, a wall (12) closing the flow channel (10), a recovery channel (14) for recovering the oil that deposits on the wall (12), and a separator partition separating the recovery channel (14) from the incoming gas flow channel (10), the flow channel (10) being defined by a first cylinder (16), the oil recovery channel (14) being defined by the first cylinder (16) and by a second cylinder (18) surrounding the first cylinder (16), the separator partition being formed by the first cylinder (16), the wall (12) forming an end wall of the second cylinder (18).

Abstract: A system for controlling a continuous variable valve lift actuator of a diesel engine and a method thereof stabilize exhaust gas and improve performance by variably controlling lift and timing of intake and exhaust valves based on combustion state and driving purpose. The method may include, recognizing a driving purpose and combustion state by detecting driving conditions, temperature of exhaust gas at predetermined locations on an exhaust pipe, and NOx concentration contained in the exhaust gas, determining target position and timing of intake and exhaust valves by applying the driving purpose and the combustion state to a predetermined map table, controlling position and timing of the intake and exhaust valves by actuating a CVVA, detecting combustion pressure in a combustion chamber, and modifying fuel injection amount according to the combustion pressure.

Abstract: An intake system for an internal combustion engine includes an intake passage connected with an intake port of the internal combustion engine; an EGR passage merged with the intake passage at a junction portion; a gas sensor attached to the intake passage and configured to detect a concentration of specific gas; and a control section configured to control the internal combustion engine on the basis of an output signal of the gas sensor. A diameter-enlarged portion having an inner diameter larger than an inner diameter of the junction portion is formed at a portion of the intake passage which is located on a downstream side of the junction portion. The gas sensor is located downstream from the diameter-enlarged portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for assisting archery bow hunters in making accurate shots while hunting in dynamic terrain. Generally, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention discloses various universal mounting brackets and integrated archery bow systems configured for coupling a support element to an archery bow. Most preferably, the universal mounting brackets and integrated archery bow systems are configured to give the bow hunter maximum stability and range of motion when aiming and/or firing the bow. In accordance with the various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various universal mounting brackets and integrated archery bow systems configured for coupling a collapsible monopod support element to an archery bow is disclosed. Additionally, various universal mounting brackets configured for coupling an extendable bipod support element to an archery bow is disclosed.

Abstract: A projectile launching system is provided. The system comprises: a projectile; a string for releasing the projectile; and a device for projecting a projectile. The device comprises: a base having a seat for placing the projectile; an air intake duct in fluid communication with the seat; and a pressure release element disposed between the base and the air intake duct.

Abstract: A firing structure of a paintball marker includes a marker body and a firing cylinder. The marker body includes a barrel with mutually communicating first and second gas chambers. A stop edge is formed in the barrel at a junction between the first and second gas chambers. An O-ring is embedded in an inner wall of the barrel at a position inside the second gas chamber. The firing cylinder and a rear guide rod are put sequentially into the gas chambers. The firing cylinder has an outer periphery formed with a stop portion in the first gas chamber. The stop portion has a front edge mounted with a buffer washer corresponding in position to the stop edge of the barrel and having a planar surface. Thus, the process yield of the marker body can be increased, and the firing cylinder remains stable in high-speed action regardless of its position.

Abstract: A universal dust shroud is mountable to many high speed gas powered concrete cutting saws while remaining strong and stable. The dust shroud is adjustable to properly fit the saw and effectively collect dust and debris.

Abstract: An apparatus for pitching and splitting a masonry block is provided. The apparatus includes a first pitching blade configured to move in a first direction. A second pitching blade is disposed adjacent to the first pitching blade, and the two pitching blades are separated by a distance that is small enough so that the splits initiated by each blade join into a single plane, thereby pitching and splitting the masonry block without the need for a splitting blade.

Abstract: The micro-flow hetero catalytic structure is developed in a complex catalytic reaction system electronically controlled that can handle simultaneously many reactants in the proper operation domain. A distributed electronic processing system based on anticipated parameters and controls the entire system optimal regime. The method of obtaining the optimal response from the catalysts is that of maintaining the thermodynamic operation parameters at right values by a set of heat exchangers, fans, valves and actuators in closed loops and processor control having the safety embedded. The applications are covering chemical synthesis, heating, air and gas cleaning, fuels and alcohol reforming.

Abstract: Provided is a built-in cooking appliance including: a top plate; a main body under the top plate, the main body receiving at least a heater; a fan inducing an air flow in the main body; a cabinet including a receiving portion on which the top plate is mounted; and a top frame covering an airflow opening between at least one edge of the top plate and the cabinet, wherein the main body includes at least one edge adjacent to the airflow opening and supported by the cabinet. The built-in cooking appliance can efficiently discharge warm air and prevents an inflow of external water. In addition, convenience in cleaning the built-in cooking appliance can be improved, and operation reliability of the built-in cooking appliance can also be improved by the thermally-stable state in the cooking appliance.

Abstract: Provided is a glass article, including: a crystallized glass plate; and an antifouling film formed on the surface of the crystallized glass plate and containing a multiple oxide of silicon and zirconium or a mixture of a silicon oxide and a zirconium oxide, in which the antifouling film has a ?-OH content of 1 to 300/mm.