Unmanned material handling system for servicing a multi-level structure

An unmanned, self propelled vehicle used in conjunction with an elevator car, having a first half of a split transformer embedded in its floor, for servicing various vertical levels in a multi-story building, the vehicle comprising:

• a flywheel;
• a dynamo electric machine, connected to said flywheel, operable as a motor for charging said flywheel and as a generator for accepting power from said flywheel;
• a plurality of wheels supporting the vehicle;
• electrical drive means connected between said dynamo electric machine and at least one of said plurality of wheels for driving the vehicle with power from said dynamo electric machine when the vehicle makes excursions from the elevator car;
• a second half of the split transformer disposed on the vehicle to be positioned in close proximity to and inductively coupled with the first half of the split transformer when the vehicle is in the elevator car;
• charging means connected between said second half of the split transformer and said dynamo electric machine for supplying power to said dynamo electric machine when the vehicle is in the elevator car;
• and
• control means for operating said dynamo electric machine as a motor when the vehicle is disposed in the elevator car and for operating said dynamo electric machine as a generator when the vehicle makes excursions from the elevator car.