Editing Diesel engine (section)

=== Air-blast injection ===
[[File:Stationärdieselmotor 1915.jpg|thumb|right|Typical early 20th century air-blast injected diesel engine, rated at 59&nbsp;kW.]]
{{Main|Air-blast injection}}

Early diesel engines injected fuel with the assistance of compressed air, which atomised the fuel and forced it into the engine through a nozzle (a similar principle to an aerosol spray). The nozzle opening was closed by a [[Needle valve|pin valve]] actuated by the [[camshaft]]. Although the engine was also required to drive an air compressor used for air-blast injection, the efficiency was nonetheless better than other combustion engines of the time.<ref name="Mau_1984_7" /> However the system was heavy and it was slow to react to changing torque demands, making it unsuitable for road vehicles.<ref name="Merker_2014_381" />