Diesel Engine Camshaft and Drive Gear:

In sequence for a diesel engine to operate, all of its elements must perform their functions at extremely precise intervals in relation to the motion of the piston.

To complete this, a component known as a camshaft is used. Below figure described a camshaft and camshaft drive gear. Above figures described the location of a camshaft in a huge overhead cam diesel engine. A camshaft is a long bar along with one lobe for each valve and fuel injector, egg-shaped eccentric lobes, (discussed later). Every lobe has a follower as display on next figure. As the camshaft is rotated, the follower is forced up and down as it follows the profile of the cam lobe. The followers are linked to the engine's valves and fuel injectors by several categories of linkages known as rocker and pushrods arms. The pushrods and rocker arms transfer the reciprocating motion generated by the camshaft lobes to the valves and injectors, opening and closing them as required. The valves are managing closed by springs.

Figure: Diesel Engine Camshaft and Drive Gear