Environmental compressor protection assembly

Abstract

A compressor lubrication system including a positive displacement pump, a pressure relief valve assembly, and a divider block. The pressure relief valve assembly includes a housing that has an opening to the fluid distribution system and a relief passage. A conduit is connected from the relief passage to a fluid reservoir. The assembly also includes a pressure relief valve that has an open position in which fluid from the fluid distribution system can enter the relief passage, and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from entering the relief passage. A biasing element maintains a biasing force on the pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is maintained in the closed position when the biasing force exceeds the fluid force on the pressure relief valve and the pressure relief valve moves into the open position when the fluid force exceeds the biasing force.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A natural gas compressor lubrication system, comprising:
 a positive displacement pump operative to supply a lubricant under pressure;   a pressure relief valve assembly having an inlet exposed to the lubricant and, including:
 a housing having an opening in fluid communication with the positive displacement pump and having a relief passage; 
 a conduit connected from the relief passage to a fluid reservoir; 
 a pressure relief valve having an open position in which the lubricant from the positive displacement pump can enter the relief passage and a closed position in which lubricant from the positive displacement pump is prevented from entering the relief passage; and 
 a biasing element for maintaining a biasing force on the pressure relief valve, the pressure relief valve being maintained in the closed position when the biasing force exceeds a fluid force exerted by the lubricant on the pressure relief valve, and the pressure relief valve moving into the open position when the fluid force on the pressure relief valve exceeds the biasing force on the pressure relief valve; and 
   a divider block for distributing the lubricant from the pump to multiple lubrication points associated with one or more compressors.   
     
     
         2 . The natural gas compressor lubrication system of  claim 1  in which the pressure relief valve comprises a piston and at least one seal, the piston adapted to move within the housing and the seal preventing leakage of lubricant around the piston. 
     
     
         3 . The natural gas compressor lubrication system of  claim 2 , flirther comprising a rod attached to the piston; and
 a catch including a lever oriented at an angle to the rod, the lever providing a force on the rod to maintain the valve in the open position once opened until the lever is moved.   
     
     
         4 . The natural gas compressor lubrication system of  claim 1  in which the positive displacement pump provides a low volume of fluid at a high pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The natural gas compressor lubrication system of  claim 1  in which the pressure relief valve assembly includes a switch activated by the valve opening that provides a signal upon the opening of the pressure relief valve.