Environmental compressor protection assembly

A pressure relief valve assembly for use in a high pressure, low volume fluid distribution system, comprising:

• a housing having an opening to the fluid distribution system and a relief passage for attaching a conduit;
• a pressure relief valve having an open position in which fluid from the fluid distribution system can enter through the opening to the relief passage, and a closed position in which fluid from the fluid distribution system is prevented from entering the relief passage;
• 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 the fluid force 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;
• a catch for maintaining the pressure relief valve, after it has been opened, in the open position until the pressure relief valve is manually reset;
• and
• a visible indicator to indicate when the pressure relief valve is in the open position.

A method of operating a high pressure, low volume lubrication system, comprising:

• providing a pressure relief valve that opens at a specified pressure to divert lubricant to a fluid reservoir and that remains open until manually closed;
• automatically opening the pressure relief valve when the pressure in the lubrication system exceeds the specified pressure;
• in response to automatically opening the pressure relief valve:
• maintaining the pressure relief valve in the open position with a catch until the pressure relief valve is manually reset;
• determining the event which caused the relief valve to open;
• correcting the cause of the event which caused the relief valve to open;
• and
• manually resetting the valve to cease the diversion of the lubricant to the fluid reservoir.