Patent attributes
A lightning grounding apparatus that includes a pivot arm and an electrical grounding element at the distal end of the pivot arm. An actuator is mechanically coupled to the pivot arm and configured to rotate the pivot arm about an axis so as to swing the distal end of the pivot arm between a retracted position and an extended position that is configured to make physical contact between the electrical grounding element and a surface of a structure to be grounded. A limit switch is provided that is mounted on the pivot arm, and is responsive to a position of a limit switch operating arm. The limit switch operating arm is configured to trip the limit switch in response to a predetermined amount of force against the distal end of the pivot arm resulting from physical contact being made between the electrical grounding element and the surface of the structure.
