Lamp transformer assembly

A lamp transformer assembly comprising:

• a transformer core comprising:
• two or more core members;
• and
• two or more gaps interposed between the two or more core members;
• and
• a primary winding and secondary winding operatively connected to the transformer core, wherein the secondary winding comprises a flat insulated conductor having a defined width and thickness, and the flat insulated conductor is operatively connected to the transformer core to align the width in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the transformer core, wherein at least a portion of the primary winding is wound over the secondary winding;
• and wherein the secondary winding covers an angular distance less than or equal to 270 degrees as measured from the center of the transformer core, covers the first gap and does not cover the second gap, and the primary winding is located substantially near a low voltage end of the secondary winding relative to a high voltage end of the secondary winding.

A method of assembling a lamp transformer assembly, the lamp transformer assembly comprising:

• a transformer core comprising first and second core members;
• and a helically wound conductor;
• the method comprising:
• inserting a first end of the first core member into a first end of the helically wound insulated conductor;
• inserting a first end of the second core member into a second end of the helically wound conductor;
• attaching the first end of the first core member to the first end of the second core member with a nonmagnetic gap material;
• and
• attaching the second end of the first core member to the second end of the second core member with a nonmagnetic material;
• and positioning the helically wound insulated conductor on the transformer core at a location which covers the first gap;
• and
• positioning the secondary winding so as to cover an angular distance less than or equal to 270 degrees as measured from the center of the transformer core, positioning the secondary winding to cover the first gap and not cover the second gap, and placing the primary winding location substantially near a low voltage end of the secondary winding relative to a high voltage end of the secondary winding.

A lamp transformer assembly comprising:

• a transformer core comprising:
• two or more core members;
• and
• two or more gaps;
• and
• a primary winding and a secondary winding, the primary winding comprising one or more winding turns and the secondary winding comprising a plurality of turns, wherein at least a portion of the primary winding is wound over the secondary winding and the number of turns of the secondary winding is greater than the number of turns of the primary winding;
• and wherein the secondary winding covers an angular distance less than or equal to 270 degrees as measured from the center of the transformer core, covers the first gap and does not cover the second gap, and the primary winding is located substantially near a low voltage end of the secondary winding relative to a high voltage end of the secondary winding;
• and wherein one or more core members are adapted to be inserted within the interior of one or both of the primary and secondary windings, and the two or more core members and two or more gaps are positioned to operatively provide a continuous core, wherein the two or more core members and their respective ends are operatively connected after one or more core members have been inserted within the interior of one or both of the primary and secondary windings.