Custom Bleed Valve and Flow Splitter

grabcad

Hello everyone, Thank you for considering my submission in the GrabCAD Oxygen Valve Splitter Challenge. The rules state that the object must be printed entirely from ABS which poses a challenge as it prevents the use of materials typically found in flowmeter/regulator setups such as springs, metal threads, and gaskets. However, this restriction also opens an opportunity to explore the potential of other flexible filaments like Ninjaflex that can be printed using hobbyist grade 3D printers. Despite these limitations, I focused on creating a design that is easy to print and controls the flow rate effectively. The splitter divides the flow evenly, with each exit tuned based on the cross-sectional area of the opening. To control the flow rate precisely, we can simply "bleed" off some flow from one branch using the second part. This solution was tested using Solidworks' flow simulation package and has shown reasonable results. To validate the bleed splitters for each desired flow rate, users can use a simple oxygen tank and flow meter downstream. The bleed splitter in the photo only took approximately 20 minutes to print. Although it may not be an ideal solution in low-resource settings, grouping patients with similar oxygen needs can help reduce waste. The system is designed for easy hot swapping of splitters without needing to print new sets entirely, which saves time and resources. I have also included a link to a blog post that helped me develop a simple design without gaskets or springs: https://theelectricsquirrel.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/oxygen-pressure-regulator-maintenance-in-pictures/. Please feel free to ask any questions for clarification on how the system works, and I'd be happy to provide more information about the flow analysis upon request. Thank you for your time and consideration! Best regards, Sean