Geometric and Engineering Drawing152
The ellipse as a locus.
Definition
An ellipse is the locus of a point that moves so that its distance from a fixed point
(called the focus) bears a constant ratio, always less than 1, to its perpendicular distance
from a straight line (called the directrix). An ellipse has two foci and two directrices.
Directrix
DP
20
F (Focus)
Dimensions in mm
R10
R20
R30
R40
R50
4
3
× 10
Eccentricity
3
4
4
3
× 20
4
3
× 30
4
3
× 40
4
3
× 50
FP DP,=
3
4
FP (FP+20), Hence FP = 60=
3
4
Figure 11.4
Figure 11.4 shows how to draw an ellipse given the relative positions of the focus
and the directrix, and the eccentricity. In this case the focus and the directrix are
20 mm apart and the eccentricity is
3
4
.
The first point to plot is the one that lies between the focus and the directrix. This
is done by dividing DF in the same ratio as the eccentricity
, 4:3. The other end of the
ellipse, point P, is found by working out the simple algebraic sum shown on Fig. 11.4 .
The condition for the locus is that it is always
3
4
as far from the focus as it is from
the directrix. It is therefore
4
3
as far from the directrix as it is from the focus. Thus, if
the point is 30 mm from F, it is
40
3
mm
from the directrix; if the point is 20 mm from
F, it is
4
3
20 mm from the directrix; if the point is 30 mm from F, it is
3
4
3 0 m m
from the directrix. This is continued for as many points as may be necessary to draw