Patent ID: 8338979

Claim:
A direct current (DC) generator comprising: an annular armature connectable to rotate with a rotating component of a wind turbine; a stationary annular field winding coaxial to the armature and separated by a gap from the armature, wherein the field winding includes superconducting coil magnets; a non-rotating support for the field winding; a fixed support coupling the non-rotating support for the field winding to a base fixed to an upper region of the wind turbine, wherein the fixed support is connected at one end region to the non-rotating support and is connected at an opposite end region to the base, and wherein the fixed support suspends the field winding over the base; and a commutator assembly configured to transfer DC current generated by the rotating armature to a power conversion system, wherein the commutator assembly comprises: a rotating first portion disposed proximate the annular armature and configured to rotate therewith; and a stationary second portion coupled to a stationary platform and configured to receive energy generated by the rotating annular armature through the rotating first portion as an output direct current.