Graphics, Figures & Tables ⇒ Coil around a circular path/disc/toroid

[ZeV]

One can fairly easily draw a rather neat coil around a core of one's choosing, for example like this

Code: Select all

\documentclass{minimal}
\usepackage{tikz}
\begin{document}
\begin{tikzpicture}
	\draw (-1.9,.15) .. controls (-1.3,.25-0.3) and (1.3,.55) .. (1,.25);
	\draw[fill=yellow] (-1,-1) rectangle (1,5);
	\draw (-1.9,4.15) .. controls (-1.3,4.25-0.3) and (1.3,4.55) .. (1,4.25);
	\foreach \y in {.25,.3,...,4.25}
	\draw (-1,\y) .. controls (-1.3,\y-0.3) and (1.3,\y+.3) .. (1,\y);	
\end{tikzpicture}
\end{document}

But, if you want the coil to be spun around a shape with a less simple geometry than a rectangle, I'm afraid I'm a little curious as to the best procedure.

Can anyone give me some pointers?