Method and apparatus for providing a consistent transmission load variable

A method of providing throttle position in a variable displacement internal combustion engine to at least one control system:

• providing an electronic control module;
• providing an electronic throttle;
• providing a partial cylinder throttle model in said electronic control module;
• providing a full cylinder throttle model in said electronic control module;
• varying the displacement of the engine;
• and
• transferring a throttle position generated by said full cylinder throttle model in partial displacement and full displacement to the at least one control system.

A method of providing a throttle position load variable for a transmission control system comprising:

• providing a variable displacement internal combustion engine;
• providing an electronic control module;
• providing an electronic throttle to control air flow in said internal combustion engine;
• providing a partial cylinder throttle model in said electronic control module;
• providing a full cylinder throttle model in said electronic control module;
• providing a transmission control system in said electronic control module;
• varying the displacement of said variable displacement internal combustion engine;
• and
• generating a throttle position variable using said full cylinder throttle model, when said variable displacement internal combustion engine is in partial displacement and full displacement, for use by said transmission control system.

A vehicle control system comprising;

• a variable displacement internal combustion engine;
• a transmission coupled to said variable displacement internal combustion engine;
• an intake manifold coupled to said variable displacement internal combustion engine;
• a throttle coupled to said intake manifold;
• an engine controller for controlling said throttle and said variable displacement internal combustion engine;
• a transmission controller for controlling said transmission;
• and
• wherein said engine controller transfers a throttle position in digital form to a transmission control system.

A method of providing throttle position in a variable displacement internal combustion engine to at least one control system comprising:

• providing an electronic control module;
• providing an electronic throttle;
• providing a partial cylinder throttle model in said electronic control module;
• providing a full cylinder throttle model in said electronic control module;
• varying the displacement of the engine;
• and
• transferring in digital form a throttle position generated by said full cylinder throttle model when the engine is operating in partial displacement or full displacement to the at least one control system.