Cartesian equation: ,. When a = b: one-sheeted hyperboloid of revolution. When a = b = c: rectangular one-sheeted hyperboloid. Small exercise: of what type is the quadric ? Answer: by a change of orthonormal frame such that OZ is the line x=y=z we get  hence H1 for , a cone for , H2 for  all of them of revolution around OZ. Cartesian parametrizations:  a) the coordinate lines of which are the meridian hyperbolas and the orthogonal ellipses: , or also , or also  b) the coordinate lines of which are one of the families of straight lines and the previous ellipses: (  = 1 for the first family, -1 for the second one) c) the coordinate lines of which are two families of straight lines (that are the asymptotic lines):  d) the coordinate lines of which are the curvature lines (a, b, c distinct): with (see triple orthogonal system) Striction line:  with , intersection with . (see [Struik, p 195]  ) Gaussian curvature:  where  is the distance from O to the tangent plane at the considered point.  Directrix cone, which also is the asymptote cone: . Volume for : .  Case of the rectangular hyperboloid (a = b). Cylindrical equation: . First fundamental quadratic form: . Gauss curvature: . Area for  : .

The one-sheeted hyperboloid can be defined as:
 1) a ruled quadric with a center of symmetry.
 2) the union of the lines meeting three lines 2 by 2 non-coplanar and non-parallel to a fixed plane (when they are, we get the hyperbolic paraboloid)
 3) the union of the lines (MN), when the points M and N move at constant speed on two parallel circles.

Here, the hyperboloid is the union of the lines  and 
and is also the union of the lines  and .
The sections of the hyperboloid by vertical planes tangent to the inside ellipse are the pairs of secant lines from the two families of included lines.
 
 

Parametrization of the hyperboloid generated by the lines joining a circle of radius a to a circle of radius b distant by h from the first and turned at an angle  to the first: . Volume of the trunc of the corresponding hyperboloid: .

 

The one-sheeted hyperboloid of revolution can be defined as the surface of revolution generated by a line non-coplanar with the axis of revolution, or as the surface of revolution generated by the rotation of a hyperbola around its non-transverse axis.
 

View of the curvature lines of the one-sheeted hyperboloid; they are circles and hyperbolas only in the case of the hyperboloid of revolution. Otherwise, they are biquadratics.

 

View of one of the two families of circles included in any H1, even if it is not of revolution.

See here helices of the hyperboloid, as well as the curves of constant precession, traced on a hyperboloid.

Because of its property of being the union of lines, the one-sheeted hyperboloid, like the hyperbolic paraboloid is often used in architecture.
 

Cooling towers of nuclear power plants.

Water tower in La Roche de Glun in Drome

In Kobe, Japan

 

See more beautiful pictures on the mathourist's page.
 

Structure designed from 2 regular polygons with n sides and 2n generatrices of a hyperboloid of revolution (joining 2 middles of sides of these polygons). The 3n resulting skew diamonds are filled by generatrices of hyperbolic paraboloids. (production: Alain Esculier)

 

Sculpture by Angel DUARTE (Lausanne, Suisse) using 6 of these structures.

 

When two "solid spaces" have uniform rotation motions with non-secant axes, the two loci of the instant axes of rotation of their relative motion in each of the spaces (or "axoids") are two hyperboloids of revolution that roll without slipping on one another (spatial notion equivalent to that of mating gear profile in the plane). This beautiful kinematics theorem is at the origin of the "hyperboloidal gears" an example of which is reproduced opposite: See this book, page 144.

 

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© Robert FERRÉOL2017