Mortar applicator and mortar application system having same

A method for assembling a brick wall using a mortar application system,

• the system comprising:
• at least one robotic arm;
• a mortar applicator movable by the at least one robotic arm, the mortar applicator comprising:
• a duct having a first end and a second end;
• a piston movably mounted within the duct, the piston dividing the duct into first and second variable volume chambers on opposite sides of the piston, the first variable volume chamber being defined between the piston and the first end of the duct, the second variable volume chamber being defined between the piston and the second end of the duct;
• a pump fluidly connected to the first variable volume chamber to selectively fill the first variable volume chamber with mortar;
• a nozzle operatively connected to the first end of the duct, the nozzle defining a nozzle opening in fluid communication with the first variable volume chamber to discharge the mortar contained therein;
• a piston actuator operatively connected to the piston;
• and
• a cover member selectively movable between an open position and a closed position to respectively allow and prevent the mortar to be discharged through the nozzle opening;
• the method comprising:
• moving the mortar applicator to a mortar laying position using the at least one robotic arm;
• applying the mortar to at least one of an existing portion of the wall and a brick to be placed on the wall by moving the piston toward the first end of the duct with the piston actuator;
• placing the brick in position on the existing portion of the wall using the at least one robotic arm;
• pumping the mortar into the first variable volume chamber, said pumping of the mortar causing the piston to move toward the second end of the duct;
• and
• moving the cover member to the closed position prior to pumping the mortar into the first variable volume chamber.