Computer-Aided Methods for Development of Transition Sections

Abstract

Transition sections are the ducting surfaces used to connect two pipes of dissimilar shapes and sizes. The two pipes to be connected may not be coaxial. In the present paper, an algorithm has been developed so as to obtain the development view of a transition section defined in terms of the geometry of its boundary curves. Also presented in the paper is an algorithm for specifying the coordinates of the vertices of the developed polygon with reference to a coordinate system defined by means of the optimal encasing rectangle of the polygon. Based on the algorithms discussed, two computer programs using a graphics package have been developed. Results of two illustrative examples have been presented and discussed.