Stators with reconfigurable coil paths

A method comprising:

• switching a first electrical configuration of a first subset of coils of a first phase element of a stator to a first configuration independently of a second electrical configuration of a second subset of coils of a second phase element of the stator, wherein, in the first configuration, a first coil of the first phase element is in a first coil path and a second coil of the first phase element is in a second coil path that is coupled to power connectors in parallel to the first coil path;
• and
• switching the first electrical configuration of the first subset of coils of the first phase element to a second configuration, wherein, in the second configuration, the first coil and the second coil are coupled in series;
• wherein the first subset of coils of the first phase element includes a first coil group with at least the first coil and the second coil and a second coil group with at least a third coil and a fourth coil, wherein a rotor is positioned between the first coil group and the second coil group, and wherein, in the first configuration, the first coil is coupled in series with the fourth coil to form a series coil set that is coupled in parallel with at least one of the second coil or the third coil to the power connectors.

A system comprising:

• a conversion device configured to convert between kinetic energy and electricity, the conversion device comprising:
• power connectors to receive or output the electricity;
• a rotor including at least one magnet;
• a stator comprising multiple coils arranged to form a first phase element and a second phase element, the first phase element including a first coil group with at least a first coil and a second coil and a second coil group with at least a third coil and a fourth coil, wherein the rotor is positioned between the first coil group and the second coil group;
• and
• one or more switches that enable reconfiguration of the first phase element between multiple modes by switching an electrical configuration of the first coil group and the second coil group, wherein the first phase element is switchable independently of the second phase element, wherein, in at least one mode of the multiple modes, the first coil group and the second coil group are arranged with the first coil in a first coil path and the second coil in a second coil path that is coupled to the power connectors in parallel with the first coil path;
• wherein the first coil group and the second coil group are arranged such that a first voltage generated across the first coil path due to relative motion of the rotor and the stator is substantially equal to a second voltage generated across the second coil path due to the relative motion, and wherein a distance between the first coil and the second coil is adjustable;
• and
• a mechanical device coupled to the rotor and configured to provide kinetic energy to drive the relative motion of the rotor and the stator.