Improved test for closed loops in surface intersections (Q1263921)

The following theorem along with its curve version is proved: If two nonsingular surface patches intersect in a closed loop, if the dot product between any normal vector on one surface and any other normal vector on either surface is never zero, and if the normal vector is uniquely defined at every point on each surface region, then there is a line which is perpendicular to both surface patches simultaneously. The theorem is intended to serve as a tool for ensuring that the intersection curve of two surfaces does not contain a closed loop (that is, a closed curve that does not intersect any patch boundary curve) or providing a technique for subdividing one of the patches so that there is no loop within them. Some algorithmic considerations are sketched, too.