A high frequency rotary transformer for an electrical machine includes a primary transformer component having a primary transformer winding, and a secondary transformer component having a secondary transformer winding. The primary transformer winding is configured to be coupled to a DC power source via a DC to AC converter. The secondary transformer winding is configured to be coupled to a winding of the rotor. Each of the primary and secondary transformer components are mechanically coupled to either the stator or the rotor. The secondary transformer component is configured to rotate with respect to the primary transformer component to produce a magnetic flux via the primary transformer winding and the secondary transformer winding.