Remote drill fluid supply system and method

Abstract

A drill fluid supply device includes a drill fluid container. A pump is fluidly coupled to the drill fluid container. The pump configured to move drill fluid from within the container. A drill fluid supply receiver is configured to receive wireless signals to control at least the pump.

1 . A drill fluid supply device, comprising:
 a drill fluid container;   a pump fluidly coupled to the drill fluid container, the pump configured to move drill fluid from within the container; and   a drill fluid supply receiver configured to receive wireless signals to control at least the pump.   
   
   
       2 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a drill fluid supply processor electrically connected to the drill fluid supply receiver and the pump, the drill fluid supply processor configured to process the wireless signals received by the drill fluid supply receiver and send a control signal to the pump. 
   
   
       3 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 2 , wherein the wireless signals are sent by a drill transmitter of a drill device. 
   
   
       4 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 2 , further comprising a drill fluid supply transmitter for transmitting wireless signals to a drill device. 
   
   
       5 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 4 , wherein the drill fluid supply receiver and the drill fluid supply transmitter are combined to form a drill fluid supply transceiver. 
   
   
       6 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 4 , wherein the drill device further includes a drill receiver for receiving wireless control signals from the drill fluid supply transmitter. 
   
   
       7 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 6 , wherein the drill device further includes a drill processor electrically connected to the drill receiver, the drill processor configured to process the wireless signals received by the drill receiver and send a control signal to the drill device. 
   
   
       8 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 6 , further comprising a drill fluid supply transmitter for transmitting wireless signals to the drill device. 
   
   
       9 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 8 , wherein the drill receiver and the drill transmitter are combined to form a drill transceiver. 
   
   
       10 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 1 , wherein the pump moves the drill fluid to a drill device. 
   
   
       11 . The drill fluid supply device of  claim 1 , further comprising a drill fluid supply interface configured to send wireless signals to a drill receiver to control a drill device. 
   
   
       12 . A drilling apparatus, comprising:
 a drill device;   a drill fluid supply device spaced from and fluidly coupled to the drill device;   a drill transmitter coupled to the drill device;   a drill fluid supply receiver coupled to the drill fluid supply device and configured to receive wireless drill fluid supply control signals sent by the drill transmitter;   a drill fluid supply transmitter coupled to the drill fluid supply device;   a drill receiver coupled to the drill device and configured to receive wireless drill control signals sent by the drill fluid supply transmitter; and   a drill fluid supply processor electrically connected to the drill fluid supply receiver and configured to process the drill fluid supply control signals and control operation of the drill fluid supply device in response to the drill fluid supply control signals.   
   
   
       13 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the drill device includes a drill interface. 
   
   
       14 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the drill fluid supply device includes a drill fluid supply interface. 
   
   
       15 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the drill device includes a drill head having a drill fluid outlet. 
   
   
       16 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the drill fluid supply device includes a container, a pump, and a mixer. 
   
   
       17 . The drilling apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the drill fluid supply processor controls at least one of a pump and a mixer of the drill fluid supply device. 
   
   
       18 . A method of operating a wirelessly controlled drill fluid supply device, comprising:
 positioning a drill fluid supply device spaced from a drill device;   sending a wireless signal from a drill transmitter coupled to the drill device;   receiving the wireless signal at the drill fluid supply device; and   processing the wireless signal to create a control signal for controlling the drill fluid supply device.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 sending a wireless signal from a drill fluid supply transmitter remote from the drill device;   receiving the wireless signal at the drill device; and   processing the wireless signal to create a control signal for controlling the drill device.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a drill fluid flow rate is controlled. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein a drill fluid pressure is controlled.