Patent ID: 8430653

Claim:
A motor-compressor comprising: a compressor having a rotor, the rotor having first and second ends; an electric motor connected to said compressor, the electric motor having a rotor having third and fourth ends; a direct coupling provided between the compressor and the electric motor and configured to connect the second end of the rotor of the compressor to the third end of the rotor of the electric motor, wherein the direct coupling includes a front coupling and a tie rod to join the rotor of the compressor to the rotor of the electric motor; first, second and third active magnetic bearings configured to support the rotor of the electric motor and the rotor of the compressor, the first active magnetic bearing being configured to support the first end of the rotor of the compressor, the second end of the rotor of the compressor being free of active magnetic bearings, the second active magnetic bearing being configured to support the third end of the rotor of the electric motor and the third active magnetic bearing being configured to support the fourth end of the rotor of the electric motor; and a single gas support element located adjacent to the first magnetic bearing to seal and support the first end of the rotor of the compressor, wherein said compressor and said electric motor are integrated in a single unit and are housed in a single box or casing, and only the first second and third active magnetic bearings and the single gas support element provide radial support to the rotor of the electric motor and the rotor of the compressor inside the single box or casing.