Casing Vent Security Device

Abstract

A casing vent security device is disclosed and illustrated. The device includes an in-line section in communication with a casing vent, the in-line section having an ambient air passageway for selectively allowing ambient air to pass through the in-line section and into the vent; a plurality of sensors disposed within the in-line section for monitoring the ambient air passing through the in-line section; occlusion means positioned in the in-line section for selectively occluding the passage of ambient air into the vent upon receiving a signal from the sensors; and signaling means for providing information on the plurality of sensors and the vent.

1 . A method of securitizing a casing vent security device, the method comprising:
 sensing ambient air passing within a passageway within the device; and   monitoring physical characteristics of the ambient air.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sensing includes sensing at least one of: mechanical, chemical, biological, radioactive, gas phase, liquid phase and solid phase contaminants. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the monitoring includes monitoring for a physical breach of the device, and if so, occluding passing of the ambient air within the passageway of the device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the occluding includes plunging a valve into a closed position. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the occluding includes sliding a valve into a closed position. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the sliding includes driving, using a motor, the at least a portion of the valve into the closed position. 
   
   
       7 . In a casing vent security device comprising an in-line section in communication with a casing vent, the in-line section having an ambient air passageway for selectively allowing ambient air to pass through the in-line section and into the vent, a plurality of sensors disposed within the in-line section for monitoring the ambient air passing through the in-line section, occlusion means positioned in the in-line section for selectively occluding the passage of ambient air into the vent upon receiving a signal from the sensors, and signaling means for providing information on the plurality of sensors and the vent, a method of securitizing a casing vent security device, the method comprising:
 sensing ambient air passing within a passageway within the device; and   monitoring physical characteristics of the ambient air.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the sensing includes sensing at least one of: mechanical, chemical, biological, radioactive, gas phase, liquid phase and solid phase contaminants. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the monitoring includes monitoring for a physical breach of the device, and if so, occluding passing of the ambient air within the passageway of the device. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the occluding includes plunging a valve into a closed position. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the occluding includes sliding a valve into a closed position. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the sliding includes driving, using a motor, the at least a portion of the valve into the closed position. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the occluding includes sliding a valve into a closed position