Mannheim offsets of ruled surfaces (Q1036270)

Summary: In recent works [Math. Pract. Theory 37, No.~1, 141--143 (2007; Zbl 1141.53300); J. Geom. 88, No.~1--2, 120--126 (2008; Zbl 1138.53007)], \textit{H. Liu} and \textit{F. Wang} studied Mannheim partner curves in the three dimensional space. In this paper, we extend the theory of Mannheim curves to ruled surfaces and define two ruled surfaces which are offset in the sense of Mannheim. It is shown that, every developable ruled surface has a Mannheim offset if and only if an equation is satisfied between the geodesic curvature and the arc-length of spherical indicatrix of it. Moreover, we obtain that the Mannheim offset of a developable ruled surface has constant distance from it. Finally, examples are given.