Abstract: The invention is directed to an electric motor which can be adapted to drive a variety of circularly driven apparatus which can be powered by a single of multi-phase constant frequency alternating current supply but which can provide variable speed by energising one or more discrete or linear electric motors located in an array positioned on the periphery of an annular stator and adjacent a partly annular rotor and therefore obviate the need for geared mechanical coupling of the driven element with the rotor of the electric motor.

Abstract: A method of bonding together metallic glass laminations to form a stack and thereafter shaping the stack, for example, by cutting, to form a bulk object such as a wound stator or rotor of an electric motor. Metallic glass is an amorphous ferromagnetic material used in the construction of electrical equipment to reduce core losses. The method involves coating individual laminations of metallic glass with a temperature resistant, non-gas producing metal bonding agent, stacking the coated laminations, applying a pressure to the stacked laminations such that the bonding agent does not exude from between the laminations, allowing the bonding agent to cure, and thereafter shaping the stacked laminations as required. In some cases, temperature resistant wiring and insulation are fitted to the shaped laminations and heated to a temperature sufficient to anneal the metallic glass. The laminations are shaped by cutting with a mixture of fluent material and abrasive material emitted from a nozzle at high pressure.