Patent Publication Number: US-9835096-B2

Title: Apparatus and methods for performing variable displacement control for a vehicular engine

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for controlling a variable-displacement, multiple-cylinder, internal combustion engine. More particularly, the disclosed subject matter relates to varying the displacement by selectively deactivating combustion in one or more cylinders of the engine. 
     Some related art internal combustion engines can include a relatively large number of combustion cylinder assemblies in order to achieve one or more desirable performance targets, such as but not limited to high travel speed, low acceleration times, high torque output at low speeds, etc. Generally, fuel efficiency of an engine with a larger number of combustions cylinders can be less than that for an engine having a smaller number of combustion cylinder assemblies. Additionally, the total torque output by the engine can exceed the amount necessary under certain operating conditions, such as idling, low speed travel, heavy traffic, etc. This excess torque can be converted to heat exhausted to the ambient environment, thus further reducing the fuel efficiency of the engine. 
     In order to enhance or improve fuel efficiency under low load conditions, some related art multiple-cylinder engines can selectively deactivate combustion in one or more cylinders of the engine. For example, a six-cylinder engine can be operated in a four-cylinder mode or in a three-cylinder mode. Similarly, an eight-cylinder engine can be operated in one of at least six-a cylinder mode and a four-cylinder mode. 
     SUMMARY 
     However, noise and/or vibration characteristics differ depending on the mode in which the engine is operating. For example, noise and/or vibration characteristics differ depending on whether a six-cylinder engine is operating in the six-cylinder mode, a four-cylinder mode, or a three-cylinder mode. In other words, the noise and/or vibration characteristics of each of these modes can be different than the other modes. These different noise and vibration characteristics can be transmitted into the passenger compartment of the vehicle where they can be perceived by one or more passenger(s) as undesirable. 
     A system (and in some cases a complicated system) of engine damper mounts or damper mounting systems can be used to isolate the passenger compartment from these undesirable noise and vibration characteristics, or at least reduce the impact of these noise and vibration characteristics on the passenger(s). These damper mounting systems can increase the cost and complexity for assembly, can increase maintenance costs, and can increase the overall weight of the vehicle thereby reducing the fuel efficiency for the vehicle. 
     It may therefore be beneficial to provide a variable-displacement, multiple-cylinder, internal combustion engine that addresses at least one of the above and/or other disadvantages of the related art. In particular, it may be beneficial to methods and apparatus for selectively activating and deactivating one or more combustion cylinder assemblies based on the current ambient conditions. For example, it may be beneficial to selectively activate and deactivate combustion in one or more cylinders based on ambient temperature data. 
     Some embodiments are therefore directed to a variable displacement controller for use with a vehicular engine that includes multiple cylinder assemblies. The controller can include a processor that receives data indicative of ambient temperature and data indicative of at least one of engine speed and vehicle speed. The processor can determine an engine torque value based on the received data indicative of engine speed, and determine a torque limit based on the ambient temperature and at least one of the determined engine torque value and the data indicative of vehicle speed. The processor can also compare the determined engine torque value to the determined torque limit, and selectively activate/deactivate at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies based on the comparison between the engine torque value and the torque limit, such that the at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is deactivated if the engine torque value is less than the torque limit, and the at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is activated if the engine torque value is greater than or equal to the torque limit. 
     Some other embodiments are directed to a variable displacement system that can include a vehicle engine including multiple cylinder assemblies, a temperature sensor that obtains data indicative of ambient temperature, and a speed sensor that obtains data indicative of at least one of engine speed and vehicle speed. The variable displacement system can also include a controller having a processor that receives data indicative of ambient temperature and data indicative of at least one of engine speed and vehicle speed. The processor can determine engine torque value based on the received data indicative of engine speed, and determine a torque limit based on the ambient temperature and at least one of the determined engine torque value and the data indicative of vehicle speed. The processor can also compare the determined engine torque value to the determined torque limit, and selectively activate/deactivate at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies based on the comparison between the engine torque value and the torque limit, such that the at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is deactivated if the engine torque value is less than the torque limit, and the at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is activated if the engine torque value is greater than or equal to the torque limit. 
     Still other embodiments are directed to a method of performing variable displacement for a vehicular engine that includes multiple cylinder assemblies. The method can include: receiving data indicative of ambient temperature; receiving data indicative of at least one of engine speed and vehicle speed; determining actual engine torque based on the received data indicative of engine speed; determining a torque limit based on the ambient temperature and at least one of the determined engine torque value and the data indicative of vehicle speed; comparing the determined engine torque value to the determined torque limit; and selectively activating/deactivating at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies based on the comparison between the engine torque value and the torque limit, such that the at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is deactivated if the engine torque value is less than the torque limit, and the at least one of the engine cylinder assemblies is activated if the engine torque value is greater than or equal to the torque limit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a powertrain for a vehicle in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view of an exemplary combustion cylinder assembly of the engine of  FIG. 1  and exemplary features of the variable displacement control system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a graph of an exemplary torque limit plot in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart of an exemplary algorithm in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary engine map in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6  is a graph showing a plurality of exemplary torque limit plots in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine and a variable displacement control system in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 8  is a graph showing exemplary plots of air mass flow rate, temperature and timer data in accordance with the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 9  is a flow chart of an exemplary subroutine in accordance with the disclosed subject matter and usable with the algorithm of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     A few inventive aspects of the disclosed embodiments are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Exemplary embodiments are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows. 
     I. Exemplary Vehicle and Engine Assemblies 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of a vehicle  10  made in accordance with the principles of the disclosed subject matter. The vehicle  10  can include a powertrain  11 , a body  12 , a pair of front wheels  14 L,  14 R and a pair of rear wheels  16 L,  16 R. The powertrain  11  can be configured to drive at least one of the pair of front wheels  14 L,  14 R and the pair of rear wheels  16 L,  16 R. The body  12  can enclose a passenger compartment configured to accommodate at least one passenger. 
     The powertrain  11  can include an internal combustion engine  18 , a transmission  20 , a pair of driveshafts  22 L,  22 R, a control system  24  and an engine cooling system. 
     The output axis of the engine  18  can be oriented in the longitudinal direction L or in the traverse direction T of the vehicle  10 . The engine  18  can be mounted forward of the front axles, rearward of the rear axles, or intermediate the front and rear axles. The engine  18  can be connected to drive the front wheels  14 L,  14 R, or the rear wheels  16 R,  16 L, or both the front wheels  14 L,  14 R and the rear wheels  16 L,  16 R. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the engine  18  is configured as a transversely-oriented front-mounted internal combustion engine driving the front wheels  14 L,  14 R. 
     The engine  18  can include a plurality of combustion cylinder assemblies of an even count or of an odd count. The cylinders can be arranged in “V” pattern or a “W” pattern, arranged in pair of horizontally opposed banks, arranged in a single row, or arranged in any other appropriate configuration. 
     The transmission  20  can be configured as an automatic transmission, a manual transmission, or a semi-automatic transmission. The transmission  20  can be configured in any appropriate manner with a stepped speed ratio assembly or a continuously variable speed ratio assembly. The transmission  20  can be coupled to the driveshafts  22 L,  22 R in any appropriate manner that can permit transmission drive torque from the engine to the front wheels. 
     A coupling can connect the engine output shaft to the transmission input shaft. The coupling can permit selective engagement/disengagement of the input shaft with the engine output shaft, or at least permit relative rotation of the engine output shaft with respect to the input shaft, in any appropriate manner. Exemplary couplings can include, but are not limited to, a friction disc clutch and a torque converter. The exemplary vehicle  10  of  FIG. 1  can include a torque converter and a lock-up clutch that can selectively connect the input and output of the torque converter to rotate together. 
     In order to enhance or improve the fuel efficiency of the engine  18  during certain operating conditions, the control system  24  can be configured to selectively deactivate and activate at least one of the combustion cylinder assemblies. The control system  24  can include a controller  26  and a cylinder deactivation assembly  28 . The controller  26  can be in electrical communication with the engine  18 , the transmission  20 , the cylinder deactivation assembly  28 , an air temperature sensor  30 , a timer  32 , and wheel speed sensors  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR in any appropriate manner. The control system  24  can share the sensors  30 ,  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR and the timer  32  with other system(s) of the vehicle  10 . In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the air temperature sensor  30  also can share data with a heating, ventilation and cooling system of the vehicle  10 . However, exemplary embodiments are intended to include the one or more of the timer  32  and the sensors  30 ,  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR as exclusive to the control system  24 . 
       FIG. 2  schematically illustrates exemplary features of the engine  18  and the cylinder deactivation assembly  28 . The engine  18  can include a plurality of combustion cylinder assemblies arranged in the manner of exemplary combustion cylinder assembly C. The assembly C can include an intake port  44 , exhaust port  46 , intake valve  48 , exhaust valve  50 , intake actuator  52 , exhaust actuator  54 , spark plug  56 , fuel injector  58 , piston  60 , connecting rod  62 , and crankshaft  64 . The intake actuator  52 , exhaust actuator  54 , spark plug  56 , and fuel injector  58  can be features of the assembly C that can be shared with the cylinder deactivation assembly  28 . 
     An engine speed sensor  66  can be configured to output data indicative of the rotational speed (Ne) of the crankshaft  64 . This data can be expressed in revolutions per minute. The engine speed sensor  66  can be shared with other control systems of the engine  18 , or the sensor  66  can be exclusive to the control system  24 . 
     The controller  26  can be in electrical communication with the intake actuator  52 , exhaust actuator  54 , spark plug  56 , fuel injector  58  and engine speed sensor  66 . If the controller  26  determines that it can be advantageous to deactivate the combustion cylinder assembly C, the controller  26  can signal any appropriate one or combination of the intake actuator  52 , exhaust actuator  54 , spark plug  56  and fuel injector  58  to shut down. This shut down can prevent combustion of fuel within the assembly C, thereby increasing fuel efficiency of the engine  18  under certain operating conditions of the engine  18  and the vehicle  10 . 
     The air temperature sensor  30  can be configured to output data indicative of a temperature of the ambient air (that is, air outside of the vehicle  10 ). Each wheel speed sensor  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR can be configured to output data indicative of a rotational velocity of a respective one of the plurality of wheels. The timer  32  can be configured to output clock data. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the engine cooling system can include a radiator  36 , a radiator inlet line  38 , a radiator outlet line  40  and a coolant temperature sensor  42 . The radiator  36  can be configured as an air-to-liquid heat exchanger. The radiator inlet line  38  can place the radiator  36  in fluid communication with hot engine coolant exiting the engine  18 . The radiator outlet line  40  can place the engine  18  in fluid communication with engine coolant that has been cooled by the radiator  36 . The coolant temperature sensor  42  can be configured to output data indicative of a temperature of the engine coolant flowing in the radiator outlet line  40 . 
     The engine  18  can be connected to the vehicle  12  by at least one damper mount. The damper mount can be configured to attenuate an advantageous range of noise and vibrations generated by the engine  18  during its operation. This attenuation can be effective if the engine is operating with all or less than all of the combustion cylinder assemblies activated. However, certain ambient conditions can reduce the effectiveness of the damper mount(s) if the controller  26  deactivates one or more of the combustion cylinder assemblies. Accordingly, it can be advantageous to restrict deactivation of one or more of the combustion cylinder assemblies based on one or more ambient conditions. 
     II. Control Based on Engine Speed 
       FIG. 3  is a graph showing a three-dimensional torque limit plot for the engine  18  that is a function of engine speed and ambient temperature. This exemplary torque limit plot can decrease with decreasing ambient temperature and can reach a minimum value at a corresponding minimum ambient temperature value across each engine speed value. In other words, the exemplary torque limit plot of  FIG. 3  can be advantageous if restriction on cylinder deactivation at cold ambient temperatures (for example, temperatures less than or substantially equal to 0° C.) is desirable. The torque limit plot of  FIG. 3  can be predetermined to be advantageous for any one vehicle parameter of for any combination of vehicle parameters, such as but not limited to the intended number of activated and deactivated cylinders, the currently engaged one of the plurality of available gear ratios available in the transmission  20 , the current vehicle speed, etc. 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an exemplary algorithm that the controller  26  can follow to selectively activate and deactivate one or more of the combustion cylinder assemblies of the engine  18 . The controller  26  can begin the algorithm at step S 100 . The controller  26  can then proceed to step S 102 . 
     At step S 102 , the controller  26  can obtain data from the air temperature sensor  30 , data from the engine speed sensor  66 , and data from a throttle position sensor (see, for example, exemplary sensor  76  of  FIG. 7 ). The data from the air temperature sensor  30  can be indicative of the current ambient temperature (TA) of the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . The data from the throttle position sensor can be indicative of the opening amount of the throttle valve expressed in a percentage of the wide open throttle position (WOT). The controller  26  can proceed to step S 104 . 
     At step S 104 , the controller  26  can obtain a value for the current engine torque (TQ) using the current values of the engine speed (Ne) and the throttle position (WOT).  FIG. 5  is an exemplary engine map that the controller  26  can reference to determine the current value of torque (TQ) produced by the engine  18 . The engine map can be stored in any appropriate electronic storage device integrated or in electrical communication with the controller  26 . The engine map can include parameters such as engine speed (Ne) and throttle position (as a percentage of wide open throttle (WOT)) that can be used to obtain a corresponding value of the engine torque (TQ). However, exemplary embodiments are intended to include an engine map that includes any combination of appropriate parameters, such as but not limited to vehicle speed, engine load, air/fuel ratio, ignition timing, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) mass fraction, etc., in order to obtain a value of the engine torque (TQ). The engine torque value can be any appropriate value such as but not limited to an estimated value that is based on predetermined data obtained during testing of the engine  18 , an estimated value of the torque currently output by the engine  18  determined mathematically, an actual value of torque currently output by the engine  18  determined from real-time sensor data, an estimated value that can correspond to a target torque value desired by the vehicle operator where the desired target value can be based on sensor data generated by operator input(s), etc. 
     Also at step S 104 , the controller  26  can use the current values of the ambient temperature (TA) and the engine speed (Ne) to obtain the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from the torque limit plot of  FIG. 3 . The torque limit plot can be stored in any appropriate electronic storage device integrated or in electrical communication with the controller  26 . 
     From step S 104 , the controller  26  can proceed to step S 106 . Here, the controller  26  can compare the current values of the engine torque (TQ) and the torque limit (TQlimit). If the controller  26  determines that the current value of the engine torque (TQ) is less than the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit), then the controller  26  can, at step S 108 , signal the cylinder deactivation assembly  28  to deactivate an appropriate number of the combustion cylinder assemblies. The controller  26  can proceed to step S 110  where the controller  26  can exit the cylinder deactivation algorithm. 
     The controller  26  can be configured to follow any appropriate algorithm at step S 108  that can deactivate an appropriate number of combustion cylinder assemblies in order to achieve an advantageous fuel efficiently target. By way of example only, at step S 108 , the controller  26  can follow one or more steps that can permit the controller  26  to consider vehicle parameters, such as but not limited to the current vehicle speed, the current engine load, the current engine torque, the current air/fuel ratio, the current gear ratio engaged in the transmission  20 , etc. In this exemplary embodiment of step S 108 , the controller  26  can follow one or more steps in order to determine whether to deactivate a first subset of the cylinders of the engine  18  or to deactivate a second subset of cylinders of the engine  18 , where the number of cylinders in the first subset is less than the number of cylinders in the second subset. However, exemplary embodiments are intended to include one or more steps at step S 108  that can permit the controller  26  to deactivate only a fixed subset of cylinders or to deactivate any number of the cylinders that is less than the total number of cylinders of the engine  18 . 
     If the controller  26  determines at step S 106  that the engine torque (TQ) is greater than the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit), then the controller  26  can, at step S 112 , signal the cylinder deactivation assembly  28  to activate all of the combustion cylinder assemblies. From step S 112 , the controller  26  can proceed to step S 110  where the controller  26  can exit the cylinder deactivation algorithm. 
     Thus, the control system  24  can selectively activate and deactivate one or more combustion cylinder assemblies of the engine  18  while minimizing or preventing the transmission of undesirable noise and vibration from the engine to the passenger compartment of the vehicle  10 . 
     III. Control Based on Vehicle Speed 
       FIG. 6  is a graph of a plurality of torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2 , T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2 , T 5 - 1 , T 5 - 2 , T 5 - 3 , T 5 - 4  that can be advantageous in enhancing or maximizing fuel efficiency over a plurality of vehicle operating parameters, and reducing or minimizing the transmission of undesirable engine noise and vibration to the passenger compartment of the vehicle  10 . Instead of referencing the torque limit plot of  FIG. 3  at step S 104 , the controller  26  can select a current value for the torque limit (TQlimit) from an appropriate one of the torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2 , T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2 , T 5 - 1 , T 5 - 2 , T 5 - 3 , T 5 - 4  based on the current value of data obtained from a transmission speed sensor, such as but not limited to a sensor configured to output data indicative of the rotational speed of the output shaft of the transmission  20 . The sensor or the controller  26  can be configured to translate the rotational speed into the vehicle speed (V) in any appropriate manner. 
     Exemplary embodiments are intended to include a controller  26  configured to obtain the current value of the vehicle speed (V) obtained from any combination of the wheel speed sensors  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR. The third torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2  can be advantageous if the third gear ratio is engaged in the transmission  20 . The fourth torque limit plots T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2  can be advantageous if the fourth gear ratio is engaged in the transmission  20 . The fifth torque limit plots T 5 - 1 , T 5 - 2 , T 5 - 3 , T 5 - 4  can be advantageous if the fifth gear ratio is engaged in the transmission  20 . However, exemplary embodiments are intended to include one or more torque limit plots for each of the possible gear ratios for the transmission  20 . 
     The cold third torque limit plot T 3 - 2  and the cold fourth toque limit plot T 4 - 2  can be shifted to the right relative to the normal torque limit plot T 3 - 1  and the normal fourth gear toque limit plot T 4 - 1 . The controller  26  can select the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from the normal torque limit plots T 3 - 1  and T 4 - 1  at step S 104  of  FIG. 3  if the current value for the ambient temperature (TA) is greater than or substantially equal to a predetermined threshold temperature. This predetermined threshold can delineate cold ambient conditions where deactivating one or more combustion cylinder assemblies can permit transmission of undesirable noise and vibrations from the engine  18  to the passenger compartment. The controller  26  can select the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from the cold plots T 3 - 2  and T 4 - 2  at step S 104  of  FIG. 4  if the ambient temperature (TA) is less than a predetermined threshold temperature. The predetermined threshold associated with the third torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2 , can be the same as or different from the predetermined threshold associated with the fourth torque limit plots T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2 . 
     The cold plots T 3 - 2  and T 4 - 2  can be shifted to right relative to the normal plots T 3 - 1 , T 4 - 1  to reduce the opportunities for the controller  26  to deactivate one or more combustion cylinder assembly, as indicated by the respective shaded area between each of the normal third torque limit plot T 3 - 1  and cold third torque limit plot T 3 - 2  and between each of the normal fourth torque limit plot T 4 - 1  and the cold fourth torque limit plot T 4 - 2 . This can advantageously reduce or minimize the transmission of noise and vibrations from the engine  18  to the passenger compartment during cold weather operation of the transmission  20  in the third or fourth gear ratios. 
     At step S 104 , the controller  26  can select the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from a normal fifth gear torque limit plot T 5 - 1  if the current ambient temperature (TA) is greater than or substantially equal to a predetermined threshold. This predetermined threshold can be the same as or different from the predetermined threshold for any of the third or fourth gear torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2 , T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2 . The controller  26  can reference the normal fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 1  if the vehicle  10  is traveling in a speed range of low to medium highway speeds. 
     The controller  26  can reference an appropriate one of an upper fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 2 , a medium fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 3 , and a lower fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 4  if the vehicle  10  is traveling in of a speed range of medium to high highway speeds. At step S 104 , the controller  26  can select the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from the lower fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 3  if the current ambient temperature (TA) is less than or substantially equal to a lower medium predetermined threshold. The lower predetermined threshold can be substantially the same or different from the predetermined threshold for any of the third torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2 , the fourth torque limit plots T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2  and the normal upper fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 1 . At step S 104 , the controller  26  can select the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from the medium fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 3  if the current ambient temperature (TA) is less than or substantially equal to a medium predetermined threshold and greater than the lower predetermined threshold. The medium predetermined threshold can be greater than the lower predetermined threshold. At step S 104 , the controller  26  can select the current value of the torque limit (TQlimit) from the upper fifth torque limit plot T 5 - 2  if the current ambient temperature (TA) is less than or substantially equal to an upper predetermined threshold and greater than the medium predetermined threshold. 
     The upper, medium and lower predetermined thresholds can delineate various cold ambient conditions where deactivating one or more combustion cylinder assemblies can permit transmission of undesirable noise and vibrations from the engine  18  to the passenger compartment. This can advantageously reduce or minimize the transmission of noise and vibrations from the engine  18  to the passenger compartment during cold weather operation in the third or fourth gear ratios. 
     The third torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2  and the fourth torque limit plots T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2  can be advantageous if the controller  26  deactivates a particular subset of combustion cylinder assemblies. By way of example only, the third torque limit plots T 3 - 1 , T 3 - 2  and the fourth torque limit plots T 4 - 1 , T 4 - 2  can be advantageous if the controller  26  deactivates three cylinders of a six-cylinder engine  18 . 
     The fifth torque limit plots T 5 - 1 , T 5 - 2 , T 5 - 3 , T 5 - 4  can be advantageous if the controller  26  deactivates a particular subset of combustion cylinder assemblies. By way of example only, the fifth torque limit plots T 5 - 1 , T 5 - 2 , T 5 - 3 , T 5 - 4  can be advantageous if the controller  26  deactivates two cylinders of a six-cylinder engine  18 . 
     To further suppress the transmission of noise and vibration from the engine  18  to the passenger compartment of the vehicle  10 , the controller  26  can be configured to modulate the lock-up clutch of the torque converter. By way of example only, if the fifth gear ratio of the transmission  20  is engaged and the vehicle speed (V) is within a predetermined range Z, then the controller  26  can be configured to modulate the lock-up clutch to allow an appropriate amount of slippage between the lock-up clutch and the torque converter. The predetermined range Z can delineate an exemplary zone of vehicle speed (V) and engine torque (TQ) in which this relative slippage can attenuate at least a portion of the noise and/or vibrations generated by the engine  18  if the controller deactivates one or more of the combustion cylinder assemblies. 
     Thus, the controller  26  can selectively activate and deactivate one or more combustions cylinders in order enhance or maximize fuel efficiency while simultaneously reducing or preventing the transmission of undesirable noise and/or vibrations from the engine  18  to the passenger compartment of the vehicle  10 . Specifically, the controller  26  can monitor the ambient temperature (TA) in combination with at least one operating parameter of the vehicle  10  in order to determine an advantageous number of activated combustion chambers that can enhance or maximize fuel efficiency and enhance or maximize passenger comfort. 
     IV. Temperature Sensor(s) 
     In the exemplary embodiments described above, the controller  26  can be configured to receive data from a simple temperature sensor  30  exposed to the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . The temperature sensor  30  can be a feature of the heating ventilation and cooling system for the passenger compartment of the vehicle  10 . However, it can be advantageous for the controller  26  to access temperature data from a temperature sensor associated with an engine monitoring system. A temperature sensor associated with the engine monitoring system can be more durable, can be more accurate, can include an active fault detection apparatus and method, and can be more advantageous in engine diagnostics than a simple sensor such as the exemplary temperature sensor  30  of  FIG. 1 . Data from an air sensor  78 , such as that illustrated in  FIG. 7  and discussed in further detail below, can be used by other engine control systems such as but not limited to air/fuel mixture control, anti-knock control, etc. Thus, cost of the air sensor  78  can be amortized across multiple engine control systems. Implementation of the air sensor  78  into the control system  24  can be can be advantageous for any of these or other appropriate attributes. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a temperature sensor configured for use in combination with at least one engine control and/or monitoring system in addition to the control system  24 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7  the engine  18  can include a plurality of combustion cylinder assemblies C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 , C 6  arranged in two banks of three assemblies each. However, exemplary embodiments are intended to include any appropriate number and arrangement of the assemblies. Each of the assemblies C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 , C 6  can be configured in any appropriate manner such as but not limited to the configuration of the combustion cylinder assembly C of  FIG. 2 . 
     An intake manifold  68  can be in selective fluid communication with each of the cylinders C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 , C 6 . An intake conduit  70  can be in fluid communication with the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . A throttle assembly  72  can be connected between the intake manifold  68  and the intake conduit  70 . 
     The throttle assembly  72  can include a movable throttle valve  74  and a throttle position sensor  76 . The throttle valve  74  can be movably mounted to selectively open and close fluid communication between the intake conduit  70  and the intake manifold  68 . The throttle position sensor  76  can be configured to output data indicative of the angular position of the throttle valve  74  that can be expressed as a percentage of the wide open throttle position (WOT).  FIG. 7  shows the throttle valve  74  in the wide open throttle position. 
     The control system  24  can include an air sensor  78  extending into the intake conduit  70 . The air sensor  78  can be configured to output data indicative of the mass flow rate and the temperature of the air passing through the intake conduit  70 . Exemplary embodiments are intended to include a first air sensor that can be configured to output data indicative of the mass flow rate of the air passing through the intake conduit  70  and a second air sensor that can be configured to output data indicative of the temperature of the air passing through the intake conduit  70 . 
     However, the air sensor  78  can be subject to heat transfer from other components/systems of the engine  18 , the engine cooling system (such as but not limited to the radiator  36 , radiator inlet line  38 , radiator outlet line  40 ), relatively hot air trapped within the engine compartment of the vehicle  10 , etc. For typical engine operations, this heat transfer might not adversely affect the data output by the sensor  78 . However, under certain conditions this heat transfer can cause the data output from the sensor  78  to deviate from the current ambient temperature of the air outside of the vehicle  10 . 
     V. Driving Cycle 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary driving cycle where the vehicle  10  is operated in at least one cold weather ambient condition. Region  1  can represent the end of cold weather driving cycle where the vehicle  10  is parked in a garage and the engine  18  is turned off. If power continues to be supplied to the air sensor  78 , the data from the air sensor  78  can indicate that the measured value (TA) for the ambient temperature can exceed the ambient temperature (TG) of the garage and the ambient temperature (Tair) of the air outside the vehicle  10  and outside the garage. As the vehicle  10  continues to soak in the relatively cold ambient air of the garage, the data from the air sensor  78  can indicate that the measured ambient temperature (TA) continues to fall. If the vehicle  10  is left to soak in the relatively cold ambient environment of the garage for a sufficient time, then the data from the air sensor  78  can accurately reflect the actual ambient temperature (TG) of the air in the garage. This process can be referred to as a cold soak and occurs in the Region  1  of  FIG. 8 . 
     A cold soak threshold can be a predetermined elapsed time during which at least the air sensor  78  can be at a temperature substantially equal to the ambient temperature (TG) of the garage. 
     Region  2  of  FIG. 8  can depict a new driving cycle that can begin after a cold soak. Region  2  shows exemplary plots of the measured ambient temperature (TA) and the measured air mass flow rate (GA) taken from exemplary data collected by the air sensor  78 . In Region  2 , the measured value of the air mass flow rate (GA) can increase from substantially zero to a low air mass flow rate (GL). After an elapsed period of time the mass flow rate can increase to a high air mass flow rate (GH). Also, the measured ambient temperature (TA) can decrease from the garage ambient temperature (TG) to the outside ambient temperature (Tair). If the engine  18  is operated at high air mass flow rate (GH), the measured ambient temperature (TA) can reach the actual ambient temperature (Tair). This can occur because the heat exchange rate from the engine  18  and/or the cooling system to the air sensor  78  can be minimized or eliminated due to cooling of the engine coolant in the radiator  36  and/or the due to the cooling of the air sensor  78  by the high flow ambient air. 
     Region  3  can represent an idle soak condition in which the engine speed (Ne) remains at an idle speed for an extended period of time such as might occur at a traffic light or during a traffic jam. In this region, the measured air mass flow rate (GA) can be less than the low air mass flow rate (GL) and the measured ambient temperature (TA) can increase above the actual ambient temperature (Tair). 
     Region  4  can represent a high flow condition where the measured air mass flow rate (GA) can be substantially equal to the high air mass flow rate (GH). Again, the measured value of ambient temperature (TA) can decrease and can approach the actual value of the ambient temperature (Tair). 
     Region  5  can represent a hot soak condition. A hot soak condition can occur after the engine  18  is shut off after the engine  18  has been operated for a sufficient time that the temperature of the coolant circulating through the radiator  36  can be greater than the actual ambient temperature (Tair). The latent heat from the engine  18  and the engine cooling system can be transferred to the air sensor  78 . If power is supplied to the air sensor  78  during the hot soak condition, the data from the sensor  78  would show the measured ambient air temperature (TA) as increasing. 
     Region  6  can represent a low flow condition where the measured air mass flow rate (GA) can be substantially equal to the low air mass flow rate (GL). Again, the measured value of ambient temperature (TA) can decrease. However, the rate of decrease of the measured value of the ambient temperature (TA) might be so low as to prevent the measured value of the ambient temperature (TA) to reach the actual value of the ambient temperature (Tair). 
     VI. Potential Inaccuracies in Measured Ambient Temperature 
     In order to address or overcome these potential inaccuracies in the measured ambient temperature (TA), the controller  26  can be configured to follow an algorithm outlined by the flowchart of  FIG. 9 . The algorithm of  FIG. 9  can permit the controller  26  to track measured ambient temperature if the vehicle  10  is subjected to one or more of the operating conditions discussed above with respect to  FIG. 8 . This tracking can permit the controller  26  to use replace a currently measured value for the ambient temperature (TA) with an estimated value that can advantageously approximate the current actual ambient temperature (Tair). The algorithm of  FIG. 9  can be incorporated into the algorithm of  FIG. 4 , where the controller  26  can enter step S 114  of  FIG. 9  during step S 102 . The controller can then proceed to step S 116 . 
     During a cold soak condition, a hot soak condition, or an idle soak condition, the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) can be less than or substantially equal to the low air mass flow rate (GL). Under any of these conditions, the data from the air sensor  78  might not accurately reflect the actual ambient air temperature (Tair), as exemplified in Regions  1 ,  3  and  5  of  FIG. 8 , respectively. However, if the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is greater than the low air mass flow rate (GL), then the vehicle  10  can be experiencing a high air mass consumption condition. Therefore, the data from the air sensor  78  can accurately reflect the actual ambient air temperature (Tair), as exemplified in Regions  2  and  4  of  FIG. 8 . 
     Thus, step S 116  can be a first check that can determine the accuracy of the data from the air sensor  78 . At step S 116 , the controller  26  can compare the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) with the low air mass flow rate (GL). The low air mass flow rate (GL) can be a predetermined threshold of any appropriate value that can advantageously achieve the desired performance for the engine  18 . 
     If the controller  26  determines that the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is greater than the low air mass flow rate (GL), then the controller  26  can proceed to step S 122 . If the controller  26  determines that the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is less than or substantially equal to the low air mass flow rate (GL), then the controller  26  can proceed to step S 118 . 
     During an idle soak condition or a hot soak condition, data from the air sensor  78  can show an increasing value for the measured ambient temperature (TA) or a value that can be greater than the actual ambient temperature (Tair). Region  3  of  FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary idle soak condition and Region  5  shows an exemplary hot soak condition. However, a cold soak condition of a sufficient duration can permit the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) to approach or to become substantially equal to the actual ambient temperature (Tair). If the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is not substantially equal to zero, then the vehicle  10  can be experiencing an idle soak condition. If the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is substantially equal to zero, then the vehicle  10  can be experiencing either a cold soak condition or a hot soak condition. 
     If the controller  26  determines at step S 118  that the current value of the air mass flow rate (GA) is not substantially equal to zero, the controller  26  can proceed to step S 128  If the controller  26  determines at step S 118  that the current value of the air mass flow rate (GA) is substantially equal to zero, the controller  26  can proceed to step S 120 . 
     If the cold soak condition persists for an appropriate period of time, the vehicle  10  can be in thermal equilibrium with the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . Thus, the data from the air sensor  78  can accurately reflect the actual ambient air temperature (Tair). A predetermined time threshold (tsoak) can be set at an appropriate value such that if the vehicle  10  is subjected to a cold soak condition for a time substantially equal to the time threshold (tsoak), then the vehicle  10  can be in thermal equilibrium with the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . 
     At the start of a soak condition (i.e., the moment at which the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is substantially equal to zero), the controller  26  can initiate a soak timer (tpic). At step S 120 , the controller  26  can compare a value of the soak timer (tpic) with the time threshold (tsoak). If the controller  26  determines that the value of the soak timer (tpic) is less than or substantially equal to the time threshold, then the controller  26  can proceed to step S 28 . If the controller  26  determines that the value of the soak timer (tpic) is greater than the time threshold (tsoak), then the controller  26  can proceed to step S 122 . 
     If the value of the soak timer (tpic) is greater than the time threshold (tsoak) that it can be possible for the vehicle  10  to be in thermal equilibrium with the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . Thus, the data from the air sensor  78  can accurately reflect the actual ambient temperature (Tair). At step S 122 , the controller  26  can obtain the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) using the current real-time signal from the air sensor  78 . Then the controller  26  can proceed to step S 124   
     At step S 124 , the controller  26  can store the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) in any appropriate electronic storage device. Since it can be likely that the current real-time data obtained from the air sensor  78  can accurately reflect the actual ambient temperature (Tair), the controller  26  can store the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) in any appropriate electronic storage device integrated or in electrical communication with the controller  26 . The controller  26  can retrieve this stored value during a future iteration of the algorithm of  FIG. 9  if the future value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) might be inaccurate. Further details of this operation are discussed below. 
     From step S 124 , the controller  26  can move to step S 126  where the controller  26  can exit the algorithm of  FIG. 9  and continue on to step S 102  of the algorithm of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring back to step S 118 , if the controller  26  determines that the current value of the measured air flow mass rate (GA) is not substantially equal to zero, the controller  26  can proceed to step S 128 . As discussed above, the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) is less than the low air mass flow rate (GL) and not substantially equal to zero, then the vehicle  10  can be experiencing an idle soak. As shown in Region  3  of  FIG. 8 , the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) might not accurately reflect the actual ambient temperature (Tair). However, the value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) stored from a previous iteration of the algorithm of  FIG. 9  can at least reasonably approximate the current actual ambient air temperature (Tair). Thus, at step S 128 , the controller  26  can retrieve the stored value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) for use in the algorithm of  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring back to step S 120 , if the controller  26  determines that the current value of the soak timer (tpic) is not greater than the time threshold (tsoak), the controller  26  can proceed to step S 128 . As discussed above, if current soak condition has not elapsed for a time period sufficient for the vehicle  10  to reach thermal equilibrium with the ambient air outside the vehicle  10 , then the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) might not accurately reflect the actual ambient temperature (Tair). However, the value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) stored from a previous iteration of the algorithm of  FIG. 9  can at least reasonably approximate the current actual ambient air temperature (Tair). Thus, at step S 128 , the controller  26  can retrieve the stored value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) for use in the algorithm of  FIG. 4 . 
     The value of the time threshold (tsoak) can be set at any appropriate value that can permit the vehicle to reach thermal equilibrium but not so large as to render the stored value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) inaccurate do to cyclic changes in the weather. In other words, it can be appropriate to consider a scenario where a value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) that was stored at midday might be retrieved in the early morning hours of the next day. 
     Referring back to step S 116 , if the controller  26  determines that the current value of the measured air mass flow rate (GA) greater than the low air mass flow rate (GL), then the vehicle  10  can be operating in a high air mass consumption condition. As shown in Regions  2  and  4  of  FIG. 8 , the current value of the measured ambient temperature (TA) can accurately reflect the actual ambient temperature (Tair) of the air outside of the vehicle  10 . Thus, the controller  26  can proceed to steps S 122 , S 124  and S 126  as described above. 
     Thus, by monitoring certain engine parameters, such as air mass flow rate and soak times, the controller  26  can rely on data from the air sensor  78  to accurately reflect the actual temperature of the ambient air outside of the vehicle  10 . Since the air sensor  78  can be a feature of other engine control and diagnostic systems, the air sensor  78  can provide advantageous sensor data reliably and with a minimum cost. 
     The controller  26  can be configured with hardware, with or without software, to perform the operations discussed above. Electrical communication lines (not numbered) can connect the controller  26  to the engine  18 , the transmission  20 , the cylinder deactivation assembly  28 , the sensors  30 ,  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR,  42 ,  66 ,  76 ,  78  and the timer  32 , in any appropriate manner. Electrical communication can be either one-way communication or two-way communication and can be networked or not networked. The controller  26  also can be referred to as an electronic control unit (ECU) or as a central processing unit. The sensors  30 ,  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR,  42 ,  66 ,  76 ,  78  can be configured with hardware, with or without software, to perform the assigned task(s). 
     Any of the sensors  30 ,  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR,  42 ,  66 ,  76 ,  78  can be configured as a smart sensor such that the sensor can process the raw data collected by the sensor prior to transmission to the controller  26  or the sensor can be configured as a simple sensor that passes the raw data directly to the controller  26  without any manipulation of the raw data. Any of the sensors  30 ,  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR,  42 ,  66 ,  76 ,  78  can be configured to send data to the controller  26 , with or without a prompt from the controller  26 . 
     The wheel speed sensors  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR can be mounted on an appropriate portion of the vehicle  10  to detect rotation of the respective wheel  14 L,  14 R,  16 L,  16 R (or the respective driveshaft  22 L,  22 R) in any appropriate manner. The raw data from the wheel speed sensors  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR can be processed by one or both of the wheel speed sensors  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR or by the controller  26  to indicate a rotational velocity of the respective wheels  14 L,  14 R,  16 L,  16 R. The wheel speed sensors  34 LF,  34 RF,  34 LR,  34 RR can be any type of sensor capable of providing the appropriate data. 
     Exemplary embodiments are intended to include the timer  32  integrated into the controller  26 . Exemplary embodiments are intended to include the controller  26  configured with hardware, with or without software, to perform the function provided by the timer  32  of the exemplary embodiment described above. 
     VII. Alternative Embodiments 
     While certain embodiments of the invention are described above, and  FIGS. 1-9  disclose the best mode for practicing the various inventive aspects, it should be understood that the invention can be embodied and configured in many different ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Embodiments are disclosed above in the context of automotive vehicles. However, embodiments are intended to be applicable to any type of vehicle, including boats, ships, aircraft, etc. 
     Embodiments disclosed above disclose the fuel injector  58  arranged in a direct-injection configuration. However, embodiments are intended to include any fuel supply configuration such as but not limited to a port fuel-injection configuration, a single fuel injector that can supply each of the cylinder assemblies, a plurality of fuel injectors associated with each cylinder assembly, at least one carburetor, etc. 
     The disclosed controllers and other apparatus can include processors and computer programs implemented by processors used to perform various of the operations and determinations disclosed above. Exemplary embodiments are intended to cover all software or computer programs capable of enabling processors to implement the above operations and determinations. Exemplary embodiments are also intended to cover any and all currently known, related art or later developed non-transitory recording or storage mediums (such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, hard drive, RAM, ROM, floppy disc, magnetic tape cassette, etc.) that record or store such software or computer programs. Exemplary embodiments are further intended to cover such software, computer programs, systems and/or processes provided through any other currently known, related art, or later developed medium (such as transitory mediums, carrier waves, etc.), usable for implementing the exemplary operations disclosed above. 
     These computer programs can be executed in many exemplary ways, such as an application that is resident in the memory of a device or as a hosted application that is being executed on a server and communicating with the device application or browser via a number of standard protocols, such as TCP/IP, HTTP, XML, SOAP, REST, JSON and other sufficient protocols. The disclosed computer programs can be written in exemplary programming languages that execute from memory on the device or from a hosted server, such as BASIC, COBOL, C, C++, Java, Pascal, or scripting languages such as JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, Perl or other sufficient programming languages. 
     Some of the disclosed embodiments include or otherwise involve data transfer over a network, such as communicating various inputs over the network. The network may include, for example, one or more of the Internet, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks (e.g., a PSTN, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), a cellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (xDSL)), radio, television, cable, satellite, and/or any other delivery or tunneling mechanism for carrying data. Network may include multiple networks or subnetworks, each of which may include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. The network may include a circuit-switched voice network, a packet-switched data network, or any other network able to carry electronic communications. For example, the network may include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP) or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), and may support voice using, for example, VoIP, Voice-over-ATM, or other comparable protocols used for voice data communications. In one implementation, the network includes a cellular telephone network configured to enable exchange of text or SMS messages. 
     Examples of a network include, but are not limited to, a personal area network (PAN), a storage area network (SAN), a home area network (HAN), a campus area network (CAN), a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a virtual private network (VPN), an enterprise private network (EPN), Internet, a global area network (GAN), and so forth. 
     While the subject matter has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. All related art references discussed in the above Description of the Related Art section are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.