Patent ID: 8376717

Claim:
A multi-stage compressor for compressing gases comprising a low-pressure region and a high-pressure region, at least one screw-type compressor disposed in the low-pressure region, at least one reciprocating piston compressor having two cylinders disposed in the high-pressure region, a common engine for driving both the screw-type compressor and the reciprocating piston compressor, said engine having a crankshaft with a longitudinal axis that is substantially horizontal, said engine being disposed laterally next to the reciprocating piston compressor, wherein one stepped piston is received in each of the cylinders, wherein the cylinders oppose each other by 180° in the high-pressure region with longitudinal axes of the cylinders extending substantially horizontally such that the reciprocating piston compressor is arranged in a boxer construction thereby neutralizing the forces of inertia from the reciprocating stepped pistons during each crankshaft rotation, and wherein the screw-type compressor and the reciprocating piston compressor are coupled to the engine at opposing output sides.