System and method for applying an electric field to a flame with a current gated electrode

A combustion reaction control system with protection for a power supply, comprising:

• a first electrode coupled to the power supply to receive a first voltage,
• wherein the first electrode generates charged particles to charge a capacitance in a combustion reaction, in response to receipt of the first voltage;
• a second electrode carried by the first electrode,
• wherein the second electrode is electrically insulated from the first electrode,
• wherein the second electrode is configured to detect a proximity of the combustion reaction to the first electrode;
• and
• a switch coupled to the power supply to selectively enable the power supply to provide the first voltage to the first electrode,
• wherein the switch includes a control terminal coupled to a resistive network to receive a switch voltage,
• wherein the resistive network is operably coupled to the second electrode to generate the switch voltage in response to receipt of a current through the resistive network or a second voltage by the second electrode,
• wherein the switch voltage is proportional to the current through the resistive network or the second voltage,
• wherein the switch decouples the first electrode from receipt of the first voltage, if the switch voltage exceeds a pre-determined threshold, to reduce potential short-circuit damage to the power supply when the combustion reaction contacts the first electrode.