Zero velocity spreading system for distributing particulate material

A vehicle-mounted spreader for distributing material onto a surface while the vehicle is in motion across the surface, the vehicle supporting a bin for storing the material, the spreader comprising:

• a discharge spout for directing the material being distributed onto the surface wherein the discharge spout has a first end forming an inlet opening, a second end forming an outlet opening and a middle portion disposed between the inlet and outlet openings, the middle portion forming a bend to modify the direction of the material being discharged, the bend forms an angle of about 90 degrees to discharge the material in a direction approximately parallel to the surface;
• a rotor coupled to the discharge spout above the inlet opening for propelling the material downwardly into the inlet opening of the discharge spout, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the surface;
• a rotor motor coupled to the rotor for supplying power to rotate the rotor;
• a conveyor coupled to the rotor and the storage bin for conveying the material from the storage bin into the rotor;
• and
• a conveyor motor coupled to the conveyor for supplying power to move the conveyor.

A vehicle-mounted spreader for distributing material onto a surface while the vehicle is in motion across the surface, the vehicle supporting a bin for storing the material, the spreader comprising:

• a discharge spout for directing the material being distributed onto the surface;
• a rotor coupled to the discharge spout for propelling the material into the discharge spout, wherein the rotor has an axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the surface;
• a rotor motor coupled to the rotor for supplying power to rotate the rotor;
• a conveyor coupled to the rotor and the storage bin for conveying the material from the storage bin into the rotor;
• and
• a conveyor motor coupled to the conveyor for supplying power to move the conveyor, wherein the discharge spout and the rotor cooperate to direct the material from the discharge spout onto the surface at substantially the same speed and in substantially the opposite direction as the motion of the vehicle.

A vehicle-mounted spreader for distributing granular material, comprising:

• an exit conduit for directing material away from the spreader, the exit conduit having a first end, a middle portion, and a second end;
• a rotor coupled to and located generally above the first end of the exit conduit, the rotor for directing material into the first end of the exit conduit, wherein the rotor rotates about an axis that is substantially parallel to the ground;
• a means for supplying power to the rotor;
• a conveyer for discharging material into the rotor;
• a means for supplying power to the conveyer;
• a means for controlling the amount of power supplied to the rotor;
• and
• a speedometer for providing a vehicle speed signal to the control means,
• wherein the control means adjusts the power supplied to the rotor such that the material exits the second end of the exit conduit at substantially the same speed and in substantially the opposite direction as the vehicle.