Pythagorean-hodograph space curves (Q1895900)

The aim of the paper is to investigate the properties of polynomial space curves \[ r(t) = \{x(t), y(t), z(t)\} \] whose hodographs (derivatives) satisfy the Pythagorean condition \[ x'{}^2 (t) + y'{}^2 (t) + z'{}^2(t)\equiv \sigma^2(t) \] for some real polynomial \(\sigma(t)\). Pythagorean-hodograph space curves offer an attractive medium for designing twisted loci in \(\mathbb{R}^3\). These curves are interesting for applications in which computing arc lengths or constructing precise representations for canal surfaces are required. Five examples are discussed.