L&S Electric’s Governor History

In the mid-1980s, L&S Electric began its revolutionary approach of retrofitting obsolete proprietary governors with solutions based on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, such as programmable logic controllers and industrial hydraulic equipment.  From 1998 through 2002, L&S greatly enhanced its engineering staff by hiring several Woodward hydro governor industry experts. From 2000 to 2005, L&S developed pre-engineered mechanical and hydraulic governor equipment such as EHI (electric hydraulic interface), high-volume main distributing valve (400 to 15,000 liter/min), high flow pump unloader valve, air over oil upclosing float valve, low-pressure accumulator / HPU instrumentation, kidney loop filtration system, MOST (mechanical overspeed system) and SSG (Speed Signal Generator). 

In 2007, the industry-leading LS-MRT 1.0 (multiple runner type) pre-engineered, configurable hydroelectric governor controller was released. In 2008, we finished the design of our IEEE compliant, pre-engineered N-Series governor hydraulic power unit (HPU) designs to cost-effectively meet the needs of the hydroelectric industry. Next-generation LS-MRT 2.0 was released in 2012. The L&S Electric LS-AGS (advanced governor system) hydroelectric governor was released in 2018.

Hydro Plant Governor system challenges and solutions

  1. Typical challenges
    • Unscheduled downtime due to unreliable obsolete equipment
    • Replacement parts are expensive or not available
    • Systems do not meet current regulatory agency performance requirements
    • Older technology does not have adequate diagnostics for effective troubleshooting
  1. L&S solutions
    • With over 30 years of experience, L&S Electric is one of a few full-service companies that can offer a complete design, system integration, and service of Governor control, mechanical and hydraulic systems for small to large hydro plants.
    • Since the early 1980s, we have supplied digital hydraulic governor products and services for over 750 hydroelectric generating units, ranging in size from 75 kW to 600 MW
    • With a staff of over 60 engineers, designers and manufacturing personnel dedicated to Power Control Solutions with expertise in Control, Electrical, Mechanical, and Hydraulic Systems
    • Our designs have always been based on commercial-off-the-shelf open architecture hardware that provides a flexible and cost-effective alternative to proprietary systems.  
    • Designed with proven technologies and validated IEEE models that meet or exceed industry standards and regulatory agency requirements.
    • User-friendly interfaces include advanced monitoring and control features.
    • Extensive diagnosis allows you to service equipment down to the module level with your in-house resources. 
    • Complete line of governor main distributing valves (200 to 15,000 L/min) 
    • Pre-engineered hydraulic power units designed specifically for hydroelectric governor applications.
    • Entire governor system (controller and hydraulics) are fully tested and simulated in-house lab per IEC-60308 and ASME-PTP-29
    • Knowledgeable staff that takes the time to understand your specific situation and recommend practical, cost-effective solutions.
    • All backed by Legendary L&S service!

 

Service & Quality

  • Dedicated project team and PMI methodology ensures solutions are delivered on time and budget
  • Design, manufacturing and integrated factory testing all under one roof to allow for efficient, high quality, controlled solutions 
  • Certified to ISO 9001 Quality Management Standards
  • Manufacturing facility is certified to UL® 508 
  • Committed to our customers with Legendary Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

 

Value & Reliability

  • Focus on the total cost of ownership
  • Designs are based on commercial-off-the-shelf open architecture hardware that provides a flexible and cost-effective alternative to the proprietary systems
  • Cost-effective spare parts that are available via multiple channels
  • Designed with proven technologies and validated IEEE models that meet or exceed industry standards
  • User-friendly interfaces include advanced monitoring and control features
  • Built-in diagnostics allows equipment to be serviced down to the module level with in-house resources  

 

Capabilities

Hydroelectric Turbine Digital Hydraulic Governor Systems

  • Governor Controllers
    • LS-AGS Advanced Governor System Controller
    • LS-MRT Configurable Governor Controller
    • Customer Specific Governor Systems
  • Governor Hydraulic Power Units
    • LS-N Series HPU
    • LS-S Series HPU
    • High Flow Pumping Systems
  • Governor Main Distributing Valves (MDV)
    • LS-15000      15,000 liter/min 
    • LS-7500         7,500 liter/min
    • LS-2000         2,000 liter/min
    • LS-400           400 liter/min
    • Mechanical Rate Limiters
    • MDV Bushing and Plungers
  • Governor Mechanical Field Devices
    • EHI Electric Hydraulic Interface
    • MOST Mechanical Overspeed System
    • Air Over Oil Accumulator Upclosing Float Valve
    • Low-Pressure HPU Instrumentation
    • Kidney Loop Filtration System      
  • Governor Feedback Devices
    • SSG Speed Signal Generator
    • PT Interface Module
    • Gate and Blade Position Assemblies

 

Value-Added Governor System Services

  • System modeling, model validation
  • Governor system configuration
  • Installation Engineering
    • Mark up of existing customer drawings (by hand or electronically)
    • Specify cabling for scope of supply
    • Installation wiring to/from list (Excel spreadsheet)
  • Customer witness testing at L&S Electric Factory
  • Customer training services at site or in factory
  • Turnkey installation/removal services – utilizing local contractors and L&S Electric supervisor
  • Recommended spare parts
  • Customizable after-sale service contracts