Belt structures for rotary electrical contact device

An electrical contact device comprising:

• a first primary sheave disposed about a first axis;
• a second primary sheave;
• a first planetary sheave;
• a second planetary sheave, wherein the planetary sheaves revolve about the primary sheaves during operation of the device;
• and
• a belt that extends around at least a portion of each of the primary sheaves and the planetary sheaves such that the belt makes electrical contact with each of the four sheaves, the belt having a width and a thickness, the width of the belt being greater than the thickness of the belt.

An electric machine, comprising:

• a rotor;
• a stator;
• a first sheave coupled to the rotor;
• a second sheave coupled to the stator;
• a third sheave;
• a fourth sheave, wherein the third sheave and the fourth sheave revolve around the first sheave and the second sheave during operation of the device;
• and
• a belt that extends around at least a portion of each of the first, second, third, and fourth sheaves such that the belt makes electrical contact with each of the four sheaves thereby forming a conductive path between the rotor and the stator, the belt having an aspect ratio greater than 1:1.