Gas compressor with labyrinth sealing and active magnetic bearings

Claim 1

A gas compressor, of the reciprocating-piston type, comprising: a cylinder having an inner, bore surface; and a piston, reciprocally disposed in said cylinder; wherein said piston has an outer, cylindrical surface; one of said surfaces has means, cooperative with the other of said surfaces, for creating a gas sealing, annular, air dam between said surfaces; said piston has a rod extending therefrom; said cylinder has a closure or wall at an end thereof, with an aperture formed therein and centrally thereof; said rod is in penetration of said aperture; and further including means interpositioned between said rod and said aperture for suspending said rod noncontactingly in said aperture; a rotary drive shaft having an offset crank pin; a yoke circumjacent said pin; means coupling said yoke to said rod; an active magnetic bearing interpositioned between said yoke and said pin; a floating member (a) confined within said yoke, and (b) circumjacent said pin, being interpositioned between said pin and said yoke; a second active magnetic bearing interpositioned between said member and said yoke; wherein said pin causes said member to translate, within said yoke, transverse to said rod; and said bearings noncontactingly suspend (a) said pin in said member, and (b) said member in said yoke.