A First Order Model of a Hybrid Pulse Tube/Reverse-Brayton Cryocooler

This paper describes a cryogenic refrigeration cycle that combines a recuperative lower stage with a regenerative upper stage. The resulting cryocooler avoids the inherent thermal saturation and void volume losses that are associated with a regenerator and therefore has the potential for high performance at low temperature. The hybrid concept also has advantages relative to thermal, mechanical, and electrical integration as well as reliability.