Water bearing and food cutting assembly with magnetic rotary cutting head

Abstract

A food cutter assembly may include a spindle body defining an internal channel for receiving food. A cutting tool may be attached to an end of the spindle body for cutting the food. The food cutter assembly may also include a housing for rotatably mounting the spindle body. Rotation of the spindle body can be controlled by one or more magnets mounted to the spindle body and by a stator and / or pulleys magnetically or electromagnetically coupled to the magnets, driving the one or more magnets about a rotational axis, thereby causing the spindle body to rotate about the rotational axis and driving the rotational cutting motion of the cutting tool.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] More and more foods are being processed before reaching consumers' plates. For example, various fruits and vegetables are cut or shaped and then frozen or otherwise preserved for later use. To meet the demand for processed foods and to efficiently produce large quantities of such products, the food industry utilizes a variety of different equipment for the rapid processing of large quantities of food. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This invention summary is provided to introduce various concepts in a simplified form, which are further described in the detailed description below. This invention summary is not intended to identify key and / or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, this invention summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any way.

[0003] Various aspects of this disclosure may relate to a food cutter assembly. The food cutter assembly may include a spindle body defining an internal channel for receiving food. A cutting tool may be attached to an end of the spindle body for cutting the food. The food cutter assembly may also include a housing for rotatably mounting the spindle body. Rotation of the spindle body can be controlled by one or more magnets mounted to the spindle body and by a stator and / or pulleys magnetically or electromagnetically coupled to the magnets, driving the one or more magnets about a rotational axis, thereby causing the spindle body to rotate about the rotational axis and driving the rotational cutting motion of the cutting tool. Attached Figure Description

[0004] The specific implementation is described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0005] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional view of a food cutter assembly, which includes: a housing with radial bearings for rotatably mounting a spindle body having a thrust plate and a cutting tool connected to an end of the spindle body; and one or more magnets fixedly connected to the spindle body driven by an electric motor, wherein, according to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, a water film can be created between the housing and the spindle body to reduce friction between the housing and the spindle body without the need for an internal mechanical seal.

[0006] Figure 2A yes Figure 1 The illustrated isometric view of the spindle body of the food cutter assembly, in which multiple magnets are connected to the spindle body.

[0007] Figure 2B yes Figure 1 The illustrated isometric view of the spindle body of the food cutter assembly, which is not connected to any magnets.

[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The illustrated cross-sectional view of the food cutter assembly shows the fluid flow path through the housing.

[0009] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of a food cutter assembly, which includes: a housing with radial bearings for rotatably mounting a spindle body having a thrust plate and a cutting tool connected to an end of the spindle body; and one or more magnets fixedly connected to the spindle body driven by an external pulley assembly having corresponding magnets rotatable about a stationary shaft positioned between the magnets on the spindle and the magnets on the pulleys. According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, a water film can be created between the housing and the spindle body to reduce friction between the housing and the spindle body without the need for an internal mechanical seal.

[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 An isometric view of the external pulley assembly of the food cutter component illustrated.

[0011] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An exploded view of the external pulley assembly shown in the figure.

[0012] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 The illustrated isometric view of a spindle body having a cutting tool attached to an end of the spindle body and a collar connected to an outer surface of the spindle body, wherein a plurality of magnets are mounted to the collar.

[0013] Figure 8 It is positioned at Figure 4 The food cutter assembly shown in the figure has an external pulley mechanism within its internal area. Figure 7 The illustrated side view of the collar. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The various aspects of this disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this disclosure and illustrate exemplary features by way of illustration. However, these features may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided to make this disclosure thorough and complete and to fully convey its scope. The features of this disclosure may be implemented as formulations, food products, methods or processes, methods or processes for making food products, and methods or processes for making formulations. Therefore, the detailed description below should not be construed as limiting.

[0015] Equipment used for processing food may include bearings or other moving parts. These bearings or other moving parts can be lubricated with oil or gel. In some cases, a portion of the oil or gel used for lubrication may seep into the food flow, potentially contaminating the food. Furthermore, the lubricant can heat up due to the relative movement of the parts and deteriorate over time. This can lead to system cooling or interruptions requiring flushing and lubricant replacement. Mechanical seal systems can be used to prevent lubricant from seeping into areas outside the lubricant channels of the food processing equipment, or into areas outside the food processing equipment (e.g., where a mechanical motor drives an internal rotor). Such systems can be used where the external motor uses a belt or other connecting device for the rotor teeth mounted to the internal rotor. The mechanical seals used in such systems tend to degrade in effectiveness over time, requiring system shutdown to prevent leaks or repair damaged seals. Additionally, the mechanical seals and the externally mechanically connected motor can present additional assembly challenges in reaching the internal mechanical seals for proper installation.

[0016] Figures 1 to 8 A food cutter assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Features associated with the food cutter assembly 100 eliminate the risk of contamination of the assembly, reduce downtime for operating the food cutter assembly, eliminate the risk of internal mechanical seal failure, and reduce the installation challenges of motors that rely on external mechanical connections. Figure 1 In the image, the food cutter assembly 100 is shown as including a housing 102 for a spindle 104, the spindle 104 having a cutting tool 106 coupled to an end of the spindle 104, the cutting tool 106 being used to process food along a food processing path (e.g., along...). Figure 3 Food is supplied to the food cutter assembly 100 in the axial direction shown. The food to be introduced into the food cutter assembly 100 may include, but is not limited to: all types of potatoes, sweet potatoes, yams, apples, pears, carrots, and other types of fruits and vegetables with similar flesh density. In some cases, the food may be frozen and / or refrigerated to provide suitable firmness for cutting by the cutting tool 106. The spindle 104 includes components mounted to (e.g., axial direction shown) Figure 2A and Figure 2B(As shown) One or more magnets 108 of a rotor body 110, which is rotatable within a housing 102 by the action of an electric motor stator 112 mounted to the housing 102. In some embodiments, the stator 112 is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD) to control the rotation of the magnets 108 and the rotor body 110, which in turn causes the cutting tool 106 to rotate. For example, the cutting tool 106 may be mounted to an end of the rotor body 110 via a mounting plate 114. In some embodiments, the cutting tool 106 may include a spiral blade having one or more helical or volute-shaped blades for shaping food into cut food segments (e.g., helical cut shapes and other shapes). Alternatively or additionally, the cutting tool 106 may include a shredder or any other rotatably driven food processing element.

[0017] In an embodiment, the food cutter assembly 100 may include one or more radial bearings (e.g., a first radial bearing 116 and a second radial bearing 118) for rotatably mounting the rotor body 110 of the spindle 104 within the housing 102. The rotor body 110 may be fixedly connected to one or more thrust discs (e.g., a first thrust disc 120 and a second thrust disc 122) that reduce or eliminate contact between the rotor body 110 and the housing 102. For example, the one or more thrust discs may be connected to the rotor body 110 by an interference fit, wherein the one or more discs are heated and the spindle is cooled when these components are fitted together, causing the components to tighten as they return to their previous temperature. In some embodiments, the thrust discs may be formed of stainless steel.

[0018] When the rotor body 110 is rotatably mounted to the housing 102, the first radial bearing 116 may be positioned near the first thrust plate 120, and the second radial bearing 118 may be positioned near the second thrust plate 122. In some embodiments, the first radial bearing 116 and the second radial bearing 118 are formed of food-grade plastic (e.g., nylon 6, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc.). The first radial bearing 116, the second radial bearing 118, the rotor body 110, and the housing 102 may define one or more fluid channels between the relatively movable components of the food cutter assembly 100 to receive fluid (e.g., for lubrication). For example, the rotor body 110 and the housing 102 may define a first fluid channel 124 extending from a first port (not shown) in the housing 102 through the first radial bearing 116 to the rotor body 110. The rotor body 110 and housing 102 may also define a second fluid passage 126 extending from a second port (not shown) in housing 102 through a second radial bearing 118 to the rotor body 110, and extending to a gap 128 between the rotor body 110 and a stationary tube 130 coupled to housing 102. In some embodiments, the tube 130 extends into the interior of the rotor body 110 and terminates near a mounting plate 114 (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 1 (as shown), and is mounted to the opposite ends of housing 102 via flanges or other connections. The first radial bearing 116, the second radial bearing 118, the rotor body 110, and housing 102 may define additional fluid passages to facilitate lubrication between the moving parts of the food cutter assembly 100 relative to each other in the absence of internal mechanical seals.

[0019] Although Figure 1 and Figure 3The illustration shows a first and second bearing, as well as a first and second thrust plate. However, in other embodiments, the food cutter assembly 100 may include a single bearing or thrust plate, or more than two bearings or thrust plates. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second bearings, as well as the first and second thrust plates, are arranged on either side of the rotor magnet 108. This configuration facilitates structural balance of the spindle 104 and allows the spindle 104 to rotate smoothly within the housing 102 when the rotor magnet 108 is driven by the stator 112. In this embodiment, the rotor magnet 108 is coupled to a mounting plate 121 that extends radially from the rotor body 110 between the first thrust plate 120 and the second thrust plate 122. Alternatively or additionally, the rotor magnet 108 may be coupled to the rotor body 110 at various locations, including but not limited to the outer surface of the rotor body 110, embedded in a portion of the rotor body 110 (e.g., embedded in a portion of one or more of the first thrust plate 120, mounting plate 121, second thrust plate 122, etc.) and combinations thereof.

[0020] In embodiments, as a supplement to or alternative to the operation of stator 112, the food cutter assembly 100 may include an externally driven mount to provide rotation of the spindle 104 via magnetic interaction between the externally driven mount and the spindle 104, thereby rotating the cutting tool 106. For example, generally referring to... Figures 4 to 8 The food cutter assembly 100 is shown having a pulley assembly 400 configured to rotate about a rotor body 110 via an external motor (e.g., via a belt). The pulley assembly 400 is coupled to a housing 102 and includes a stationary shaft 402 about which one or more magnets 404 rotate via the operation of the external motor and the belt to drive a main shaft 104 through magnetic coupling between the magnets 404 and magnets 108 mounted to the rotor body 110. The pulley assembly 400 may include chain teeth 406 formed around the pulleys 408 for belt drive. Alternatively or additionally, the pulley assembly 400 may include different surface features to engage with the belt driven by the external motor. In an embodiment, the pulley assembly 400 provides a pressure seal for the food cutter assembly 100 to retain fluid within the food cutter assembly 100 while providing rotation of the main shaft 104 via an external motor outside the pressure seal provided by the pulley assembly 400. For example, the stationary shaft 402 may be made of a substantially non-magnetic material, including but not limited to stainless steel, to allow magnetic coupling between magnet 404 and magnet 108.

[0021] Magnet 404 can be secured (e.g., by pins, bolts, or other fasteners) to collar 410, which surrounds at least a portion of stationary shaft 402. For example, Figure 6A collar 410 configured to surround a stationary shaft 402 between a first flange 412 and a second flange 414 is shown, wherein a magnet 404 is fixed to an inner surface 432 of the collar 410. The collar 410 may be secured against an inner surface 416 of a pulley 408 (e.g., by friction fit, by fasteners, etc.) to rotatably position the magnet 404 around the stationary shaft 402 when the pulley 408 is mounted around the stationary shaft 402. For example, the stationary shaft 402 may fit within an inner region defined by the inner surface 416 of the pulley 408. The stationary shaft 402 is fixed to a housing 102 to hold the stationary shaft 402 in a fixed position (e.g., non-rotatable) relative to a food processing path and to provide a pressure seal for the food cutter assembly 100 to retain fluid within the housing 102. The pulley 408 rotates about the stationary shaft 402 via one or more bearings fixed between the stationary shaft 402 and the pulley 408. For example, Figure 4 and Figure 6 A first bearing 418 and a second bearing 420 are shown positioned between the stationary shaft 402 and the inner surface 416 of the pulley 408. The first bearing 418 and the second bearing 420 facilitate rotation of the pulley 408 with the collar 410 and the associated magnet 404 about the stationary shaft 402. Although the first bearing 418 is shown adjacent to the first flange 412 and the second bearing 420 is shown adjacent to the second flange 414, the pulley assembly 400 is not limited to this bearing arrangement and may include fewer than two or more bearings in other locations to support the pulley 408 relative to the stationary shaft 402.

[0022] In one embodiment, a magnet 404, fixed to a collar 410, is held in a groove 422 formed on a stationary shaft 402 between a first flange 412 and a second flange 414. The magnet 404 may be spaced apart from the upper surface 424 of the groove 422 by a gap 426 to prevent contact between the magnet 404 and the stationary shaft 402 during rotation of the magnet 404 when driven by an external motor. For example, a first bearing 418 and a second bearing 420 may support a pulley 408 relative to the stationary shaft 402, wherein the collar 410 is fixed to the pulley 408 to guide the magnet 404 into the groove 422, and a gap 426 is provided between the magnet 404 and the upper surface 424 of the groove 422. The pulley assembly 400 may include a mounting plate 428 for securing the pulley 408 relative to the stationary shaft 402 and providing a connection between the pulley assembly 400 and the housing 102 of the food cutter assembly 100.

[0023] As pulley 408 rotates, collar 410 and associated magnet 404 correspondingly rotate about stationary shaft 402. In this embodiment, stationary shaft 402 separates the magnet 404 of pulley assembly 400 from the magnet 108 associated with spindle 104, but allows magnetic interaction between the magnets 404 of pulley assembly 400 and the magnets 108 of spindle 104 via the material of stationary shaft 402 between the respective magnets through magnetic coupling. For example, when pulley 408 is driven to rotate about stationary shaft 402, magnet 404 rotates and applies magnetic force to magnet 108 via stationary shaft 402, resulting in rotation of spindle 104 and cutting tool 106. Stationary shaft 402 generally includes a material thickness between magnets 404 and magnet 108 suitable for allowing magnetic coupling while also providing structural support for food cutter assembly 100 operating the cutting tool 106 at rotational speeds exceeding 1000 rpm. In an embodiment, the stationary shaft 402 may include a material thickness of approximately one-sixteenth of an inch to three-quarters of an inch (0.0625 inches to 0.75 inches) between the magnet 404 and the magnet 108. For example, the stationary shaft 402 may include a material thickness of approximately one-eighth of an inch (0.125 inches) between the magnet 404 and the magnet 108. In an embodiment, the magnet 108 is mounted (e.g., by fasteners) to a collar 430, which is then secured (e.g., by friction fit, by fasteners, etc.) to the rotor body 110 of the spindle 104. Alternatively or additionally, the magnet 108 may be mounted directly to the rotor body 110.

[0024] Magnets 108 and 404 may be substantially the same shape and size relative to each other, and are arranged such that the magnetic poles from magnet 108 face the opposite magnetic poles from magnet 404. In an embodiment, magnets 108 and 404 have a width along the surface of the respective collars 430 and 410 that is greater than the height of magnets 108 and 404, wherein the height is greater than the width of the respective collars 430 and 410 (e.g., as shown in the figure). Figure 4 , Figure 6 and Figure 7The magnet 404 is arranged tangentially to the outer surface of the collar 410 in a direction shown. For example, the magnet 404 may have a first magnetic pole (e.g., S) arranged along the width of the magnet 404, the first magnetic pole being fixed to the inner surface 432 of the collar 410, and the magnet 404 may have a second magnetic pole (e.g., N) opposite to the first magnetic pole arranged along the width of the magnet 404, the second magnetic pole being opposite to the magnet 108. For example, if the magnet 404 is exposed to the magnet 108 by a stationary shaft 402, the magnet 404 may have a first magnetic pole (e.g., S) arranged along the surface of the magnet 404, the first magnetic pole being fixed to the inner surface 432 of the collar 410, and the magnet 404 may have a second magnetic pole (e.g., N) opposite to the first magnetic pole arranged along the surface.

[0025] During operation, the rotor body 110 undergoes magnetic / electromagnetic interaction with the stator 112 and the magnet 108 fixedly connected to the rotor body 110 (e.g., as...). Figures 1 to 3 (as shown), or through the magnetic interaction between an externally driven magnet 404 housed in the pulley assembly 400 and a magnet 108 fixedly connected to the rotor body 110 (as shown). Figures 4 to 8 (As shown) and rotates within the housing 102, thereby causing the cutting tool 106 to rotate about the rotation axis 132, which is aligned with the food processing path (e.g., as shown). Figure 3 (As shown). The rotor body 110 may also define an internal channel 134 extending along the axis of rotation 132. The internal channel 134 can receive cut food segments from the cutting tool 106. In some embodiments, a tube 130 is located along the length of the rotor body 110 within the internal channel 134, terminating near the mounting plate 114, for receiving and transporting the cut food segments from the food cutter assembly 100 to another part of the food processing path. For example, the tube 130, or another transport structure coupled to the tube 130 (e.g., at a flange), can transport the cut food segments to another food processing apparatus or food processing station, or to a storage container. The rotor body 110 may rotate about the tube 130, which may be stationary relative to the food processing path. The tube 130 may be configured (e.g., via flange 131) to be fixedly connected to the housing 102 and extend into the rotor body 110 to receive cut food segments from the cutting tool 106. In this regard, the tube 130 can also be used to protect the cut food segments from further damage or disintegration by the rotating rotor body 110. In some embodiments, the rotor body 110 and / or the tube 130 may be formed of food-grade plastic material and / or other food-grade processing structures.

[0026] The stator 112 and / or pulley 408 interact remotely with a magnet 108 mounted to the rotor body 110, for example, through magnetic or electromagnetic interaction, thereby causing movement of the rotor body 110. The movement of the rotor body 110 correspondingly causes the cutting tool 106 at the end of the spindle 104 to rotate. In some embodiments, the stator 112 and / or pulley 408 are configured to rotate the spindle 104 at a rate in the range of approximately 3000 to 6000 revolutions per minute (rpm) through interaction with the magnet 108 fixedly connected to the rotor body 110; for example, the spindle 104 can be driven to rotate at a rate of approximately 4500 rpm. Simultaneously, food can be supplied to the food cutter assembly 100 via one or more supply tubes (e.g., via the cutting tool 106), wherein the food is transported through the tubes by flowing water. In some embodiments, the water flow rate through one or more supply pipes is in the range of approximately 400 to 700 gallons per minute, or any flow rate sufficient to drive food through one or more supply pipes at a sufficient speed for the food cutter assembly 100 to process the food. The one or more supply pipes may include perforated tubes that guide the food into the food cutter assembly 100. In some embodiments, the perforated tubes may include a tapered portion that aligns the food with the cutting tool 106 of the food cutter assembly 100. A portion of the water used to transport the food may be removed through an opening in the perforated tube via a bypass pipe leading out of the system before interacting with the cutting tool 106, while some of the water may enter the internal passages of the rotor body 110 (e.g., into pipe 130) through the cutting tool 106.

[0027] Water (or another food-safe fluid) can be pumped through fluid channels 124 and 126 to create a water film between housing 102 and rotor body 110, wherein this water film serves to reduce friction between housing 102 and rotor body 110 while rotating the main shaft 104 through the interaction between magnet 108 and stator 112 and / or pulley 408. For example, Figure 3The arrows in the diagram illustrate example water flow through fluid channels 124 and 126, where water can be directed into the gap 128 between the rotor body 110 and the pipe 130. In some embodiments, fresh water from a water source (e.g., a city tap) can be supplied to fluid channels 124 and 126. Water for fluid channels 124 and 126 can be supplied from a water source at a pressure ranging from approximately 40 psi to 80 psi, for example, at approximately 60 psi. In some cases, maintaining a water pressure above approximately 40 psi can prevent the accumulation of bacteria or mold within the food cutter assembly 100. Using water as a lubricant for the food cutter assembly 100 can reduce the risk of contamination or other negative impacts on food during food processing. For example, food-safe oils can be used to lubricate processing parts of general food processing equipment; however, these oils can seep into the food processing flow and come into contact with the processed food. While food-safe oils are generally non-toxic, they can still impart undesirable sensory properties to the processed food if they combine with it. The food cutter assembly 100 described herein can be lubricated with water pumped through fluid channels 124 and 126, so the lubricant (i.e., water) seeping into the food processing flow has no negative impact on the food already driven through the food processing path by water. Furthermore, since the food cutter assembly 100 does not include an internal mechanical seal separating the rotor body 110 from the external drive system operating directly on the rotor body 110 (e.g., due to the magnetic / electromagnetic interaction between the magnet 108 and the stator 112 (e.g., as...) Figures 1 to 3 (as shown), or the magnetic / electromagnetic interaction between the externally driven magnet 404 and the magnet 108 housed in the pulley device 400 (as shown). Figures 4 to 8 (as shown), thus reducing lubricant leakage both inside and outside the food cutter assembly 100. Preventing leakage of the food cutter assembly 100 outside the food cutter assembly 100 prevents starchy fluid from depositing around the food cutter assembly 100, which in turn prevents the waste of useful byproducts of food processing and avoids potentially dangerous slippery situations.

[0028] In some embodiments, the spacing (or gap) (e.g., gap 128) between the rotor body 110 and the tube 130 can be in the range of 0.005 to 0.030 inches, for example, the rotor body 110 and the tube 130 can have a spacing tolerance of approximately 0.10 to 0.15 inches. In some embodiments, the spacing (or gap) at the opening at the first end (where water can enter the space between the rotor body 110 and the tube 130 near the flange) can be in the range of 0.10 to 0.030 inches, for example, the gap between the tube 130 forming the opening and the end of the rotor body 110 can be approximately 0.15 inches. In some embodiments, the rotor body 110 and the tube 130 may also have an opening at a second end (e.g., near the cutting tool 106) that allows water to flow out between the rotor body 110 and the tube 130 and into the tube 130. Water can be used to reduce friction between the rotor body 110 and the tube 130, and water can also be used to clean the gap 128 between the rotor body 110 and the tube 130 and / or the inner surface of the tube 130. For example, water can wash away particles, such as starch, that remain in the food after passing through the cutting tool 106.

[0029] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms for implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A food cutter assembly, comprising: A spindle body defining an internal channel for receiving cut food, the internal channel extending along the rotation axis of the spindle body; A cutting tool, connected to the end of the spindle body, for cutting the food, wherein the internal channel is positioned adjacent to the cutting tool to receive the cut food from the cutting tool; A magnet, which is coupled to the spindle body, is positioned outside the sealed fluid-receiving area of ​​the food cutter assembly; A housing for rotatably mounting the spindle body; and A drive system connected to the housing away from the magnet, the drive system being configured to rotate the magnet about the axis of rotation without physical contact with the magnet and the spindle body.

2. The food cutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The drive system includes a pulley assembly, the pulley assembly comprising: A pulley, the pulley having one or more magnets mounted to an inner surface of the pulley and having an outer surface configured to be driven by a belt; and A stationary shaft is connected to the housing and has a structural portion positioned between a magnet connected to the main shaft body and one or more magnets mounted to the inner surface of the pulley, the one or more magnets being configured to rotate about the stationary shaft when the pulley is driven by the belt.

3. The food cutter assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The stationary shaft includes a first flange and a second flange, wherein one or more magnets are disposed between the first flange and the second flange during rotation about the stationary shaft.

4. The food cutter assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The pulley assembly includes at least one bearing positioned between the stationary shaft and the inner surface of the pulley, wherein the inner surface of the pulley contacts the at least one bearing for rotation about the stationary shaft.

5. The food cutter assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The pulley assembly includes a first bearing adjacent to the first flange and a second bearing adjacent to the second flange, wherein the inner surface of the pulley contacts the first bearing and the second bearing for rotation about the stationary shaft.

6. The food cutter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a first thrust plate fixedly connected to the spindle body.

7. The food cutter assembly of claim 6 further includes a second thrust plate fixedly connected to the spindle body.

8. The food cutter assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The magnet is fixedly connected to the spindle body between the first thrust plate and the second thrust plate.

9. The food cutter assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of magnets coupled to the spindle body and extending radially from the axis of rotation of the spindle body.

10. The food cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein, The drive system includes a stator with a variable frequency drive operatively coupled to the stator to control the rotational speed of the spindle body about the axis of rotation.

11. The food cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein, The housing includes a first radial bearing and a second radial bearing. When the spindle body is rotatably mounted to the housing, the first radial bearing is positioned close to the first thrust plate, and when the spindle body is rotatably mounted to the housing, the second radial bearing is positioned close to the second thrust plate.

12. The food cutter assembly of claim 11, further comprising a fluid channel, wherein, The fluid channels of the food cutter assembly include a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel, the spindle body and the housing defining the first fluid channel to extend from a first port in the housing through a first radial bearing to the spindle body, and the spindle body and the housing defining the second fluid channel to extend from a second port in the housing through the second radial bearing to the spindle body.

13. The food cutter assembly of claim 1, wherein, The cutting tool includes a spiral blade.

14. A food cutter assembly, comprising: A spindle body defining an internal channel for receiving cut food, the internal channel extending along the rotation axis of the spindle body; A first thrust plate is fixedly connected to the spindle body; The second thrust plate is fixedly connected to the spindle body; A cutting tool, connected to the end of the spindle body, for cutting the food, wherein the internal channel is positioned adjacent to the cutting tool to receive the cut food from the cutting tool; A magnet is fixedly connected to the spindle body between the first thrust plate and the second thrust plate, and the magnet is positioned outside the sealed fluid receiving area of ​​the food cutter assembly; A housing for rotatably mounting the spindle body, the housing including a first radial bearing and a second radial bearing, wherein the first radial bearing is positioned near a first thrust plate and the second radial bearing is positioned near a second thrust plate when the spindle body is rotatably mounted to the housing, wherein the spindle body and the housing define a first fluid passage and a second fluid passage, the first fluid passage extending from a first port in the housing through the first radial bearing to the spindle body, and the second fluid passage extending from a second port in the housing through the second radial bearing to the spindle body; and A pulley assembly, connected to the housing away from the magnet, the pulley assembly comprising: The pulley device is configured to rotate the magnet about the axis of rotation without physical contact with the magnet or the spindle body, having at least one magnet magnetically coupled to the magnet fixedly connected to the spindle body. and A stationary shaft connected to the housing has a structural portion positioned between the magnet connected to the spindle body and at least one magnet magnetically coupled to the magnet fixedly connected to the spindle body.

15. The food cutter assembly of claim 14, wherein, The pulley device also includes: A pulley having at least one magnet mounted to an inner surface of the pulley and an outer surface configured to be driven by a belt; wherein the at least one magnet is configured to rotate about a stationary axis when the pulley is driven by the belt.

16. The food cutter assembly of claim 15, wherein, The at least one magnet is separated from the structural portion of the stationary shaft by a gap to prevent contact between the at least one magnet and the stationary shaft.

17. The food cutter assembly of claim 16, wherein, The stationary shaft includes a first flange and a second flange, wherein at least one magnet is disposed between the first flange and the second flange during rotation about the stationary shaft.

18. The food cutter assembly of claim 17, wherein, The pulley assembly further includes at least one bearing positioned between the stationary shaft and the inner surface of the pulley, wherein the inner surface of the pulley contacts the at least one bearing for rotation about the stationary shaft.

19. The food cutter assembly of claim 17, wherein, The pulley assembly further includes a first bearing adjacent to the first flange and a second bearing adjacent to the second flange, wherein the inner surface of the pulley contacts the first bearing and the second bearing for rotation about the stationary shaft.

20. The food cutter assembly of claim 15, wherein, The outer surface of the pulley includes chain teeth.

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