\(W\)-surfaces having some properties (Q1412411)

The paper is devoted to a study of characteristic properties of particular Weingarten surfaces (\(W\)-surfaces) in the three-dimensional space \(E^3\). The investigations are motivated by the classical Ribaucour theorems and founded on the consideration of relations between a given surface \(F^2\) in \(E^3\) and its central surfaces \(F^2_1\), \(F^2_2\). By definition, if \(F\) is presented by a position-vector \(x=r(u,v)\), then \(F_i\) are presented by position-vectors \(x = r(u,v) + k_i n\), where \(n\) is a unit normal to \(F\) and \(k_i\) stand for the principal curvature of \(F\). A theorem by Ribaucour states that the lines of curvature on both central surfaces correspond to each other if and only if \(F\) is a \(W\)-surface satisfying \(1/k_1-1/k_2=const\). In the present paper some similar results are obtained: -- The nets on \(F\) corresponding to the asymptotic lines of the central surfaces are both a) orthogonal if and only if \(F\) is a \(W\)-surface satisfying \(k_1-k_2=\text{const}\), b) conjugate if and only if \(F\) is a \(W\)-surface satisfying \(k_1/k_2=\text{const}\). -- The spherical images of nets on \(F\) corresponding to the asymptotic lines of the central surfaces are both orthogonal if and only if \(F\) is a \(W\)-surface satisfying \(1/k_1-1/k_2=\text{const}\). -- If \(F\) is not a moulding surface (i.e. generated by the orthogonal trajectories of a one-parametric family of planes), then the nets on \(F\) corresponding to the lines of curvature of the central surfaces are both a) orthogonal if and only if \(F\) is a surface of constant mean curvature, b) conjugate if and only if \(F\) is a surface of constant Gaussian curvature. The spherical images of these nets are both orthogonal if and only if \(F\) is a \(W\)-surface satisfying \(1/k_1+1/k_2=\text{const}\).