Impingement cooled can combustor

A can combustor includes a generally cylindrical housing having an interior, an axis, and a closed axial end. The closed axial end includes means for introducing fuel to the housing interior. A generally cylindrical combustor liner is disposed coaxially within the housing and configured to define with the housing respective radially outer passages for combustion air and for dilution air, and also respective radially inner volumes for a combustion zone and a dilution zone. The combustion zone is disposed axially adjacent the closed housing end, and the dilution zone is disposed axially distant the closed housing end. The can combustor also includes an impingement cooling sleeve coaxially disposed between the housing and the combustor liner and extending axially from the closed housing end for a substantial length of the combustion zone. The sleeve has a plurality of apertures sized and distributed to direct combustion air against the radially outer surface of the portion of the combustor liner defining the combustion zone, for impingement cooling. Essentially all of the combustion air flows through the impingement cooling apertures prior to admission to the combustion zone. A small portion of the impingement cooling air may be used for film cooling of the liner proximate the closed housing end.